Competitive sports have been shown to improve academic performance in secondary students. A study cited found that students who participated in competitive athletics developed better study habits and scored higher on standardized tests. This likely occurred because student-athletes had to effectively manage their time between sports and academics. Another study found that school sports participation rates and winning percentages correlated with higher graduation rates and test scores, even after controlling for other factors. Overall, competitive sports provide valuable life lessons about hard work, losing, and winning that cannot be replicated in a classroom.

2. Competitive sports in
adolescent education has
time and time again proved
themselves to be a vital factor
in propelling academic
prowess. While the physical
benefits of playing sports is
highly publicized through the
likes of campaigns such as
the NFL’s Play 60, the mental
benefits of playing sports are
far less touted in mainstream
media and within forums
held by school board
members and
commissioners.

3. Yet, this lack of acknowledgment
by no means indicates a
reduction in sports’ significance
to adolescents. In fact, this lack
of acknowledgment actually
seems to have cultivated a
misperception of sports’ role in
education. Take that Atlantic
article for instance, a clear
example of misinformation.
Proper information needs to be
disseminated so as to ensure
popular opinion supports the
facts.

4. In light of such, I present to you this study, “Sport at
competitive level improves the academic performance of
secondary education students.” It directly states that
“academic performance is better if young people play sports
competitively.” To elaborate, the study indicated that those
children who participated in athletics developed better study
habits and scored higher on standardized tests.

5. Such only makes sense when considering that these sports-inclined youths
were forced to account for the time that matches and practice require. By
learning to allot for this in their schedule, they also learned to allot time to
study, which in turn bolsters test scores. Initially, the study was conducted
to address the severe decrease in sports’ participation as children ascended
to secondary institutions. Interestingly enough, the original reason cited for
the drop-off was a “lack of time to combine sports and studies.” Yet, when
reflecting on the studies’ proven conclusion, this is clearly an
unsubstantiated rationale.

6. I would also like to make mention of the study conducted by Dr.
Daniel Bowen and Dr. Jay Greene of The University of Arkansas.
They assessed school sports winning percentages along with student
athletic participation rates against graduation rates and
standardized test scores. After a five year period of controlling
factors like student poverty levels, demographics, and school
financial resources it was clear that participation in sports clearly
correlates with academic performance. While, of course, correlation
does not necessarily means causation, the facts remain that the
trend is evident.

7. Competitive sports offer a lesson that simply
cannot be taught in the classroom, experience.
It teaches children what it means to work hard
and to lose. It also teaches children what it
means to work hard and win. Competition is an
inherent part of our educational system with
good reason. Let us ensure it stays that way.