Race, Academics, and Athletics

1
Race, Academics, and Athletics

• Race, Athletic Achievement, and Educational
  Aspiration
• Paper by J. Steven Picou. 1978. Sociological
  Quarterly,19(3)429-438
• Presented by Walt Rogers, Environmental Studies,
  GEOG 370, February 26, 2008

2
Race and Aspirations

• The study seeks to analyze the effects of
  participation in high school sports on the
  educational aspirations of white and black
  students.
• Hypothesis athletic participation fosters
  cooperation between peers, family members, and
  school staff therefore bolstering aspirations
  for higher education.

3
Methods and Data Collection

• A state-wide stratified random sample of
  Louisiana high school seniors were interviewed.
• Public schools were stratified on the basis of
  residence (urban-rural), class size, and school
  type (public-parochial).
• Students were interviewed according to the
  following topics academic performance, peer
  plans, father and mothers education,
  significant-other encouragement,athletic
  acheivement, and educational aspirations.

4
Results

• Parental education and peer influences accounted
  for the most influential factors in educational
  aspirations for white students
• Athletic achievement and significant-other
  influence had a significant effect on educational
  aspiration of black students.

5
Conclusions

• According to the study, white athletes and
  students tend to orient educational aspirations
  around peer plans and the influence of the
  educational achievements of their parents.
• Black athletes and students tend to derive their
  educational aspirations from athletic achievement
  and significant-other influence such as
  encouragement from coaches.