Extracurricular activities and student achievement: examination of casual relationship, 1996

This study examines the causal relationship between extracurricular activities and student academic achievement at one high school for the academic year ranging from August 1994 through June 1995. This process investigates whether grades were impacted based on the activity and the time spent involved in the activity. Grades were compared and viewed in accordance with the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. Surveys given to teachers and students to gather information regarding their perceptions examined behavior, concentration level, and homework habits for activity participants during and after the season of their activity. Statistics to find any significant differences were applied to the survey items. The findings indicate that there is no significant difference in students' grades during the period of activity versus non-activity. The only indicators causing a difference in grades is related to the amount of time the student spends engaging in the activity and the level of commitment the student exhibits for the activity. The conclusion is that a student's being involved in extracurricular activities does not affect grades; however, the degree of involvement can