The document argues for the implementation of participation fees for public school athletic programs to help address financial shortfalls, highlighting the importance of such programs in promoting student well-being and preventing adverse outcomes. It outlines the benefits of athletic participation, including improved academic success and character development, while emphasizing the need for parents to contribute financially, ensuring inclusivity for those in need. Ultimately, it maintains that sustaining athletic programs is a vital investment in students' futures.

1. To help defray the costs of athletics
all students participating in public
school sponsored sport activities
should be assessed a “participation
fee”.
By Micah Hearns

2. • In the 1970’s school’s across the nation covered the
costs for education and athletic activities for the youth
in the schools.
• Time’s have changed since then and many schools
have faced financial problems and even considered
cutting the athletic programs because of it.
• Athletic programs in the schools are very important for
the students and need to be present so that the students
can continue to be physically fit, learn about
responsibility, and to learn to be active in their lives.

3. • According to the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, students that didn’t participate in
athletic programs in school were 57% more likely
to drop out of high school, 49% more likely to have
used drugs, 37% more likely to become teen
parents, 35% more likely to have smoked
cigarettes, and 27% more likely to have been
arrested.
• This is a perfect reason why athletic programs in
the high schools are so important.

4. • By helping to prevent all these negative
circumstances, it can help save the nation costs in
medical bills, counseling, disaster costs, and can
help prevent and clean up the streets with less
youths falling into bad habits.
• There are many different benefits to athletic
programs, it just keeps going and going. It can
have a big role in the majority of ones
youth/teenage time period and can help mold and
transform your children into strong and confident
people.

5. Keeping Athletic
Programs in School is
VERY IMPORTANT!

6. • With the increasing financial
costs and budgetary cutbacks.
The schools have a hard time
having enough money to fund
their athletic programs.
• I believe in these circumstances
it falls to the parents/families of the
student athletes to help the
schools out with the costs.

7. •A student “Participation Fee” of
anywhere from $50-$150 per student
involved in the athletic programs could
help the school get the supplies they
need and to make it easier on the
schools.
•With all the information out there on
how athletic programs are good for
your kids, I’m sure many of the parents
wouldn’t mind donating or helping the
schools out anyway they could with the
athletic fees.

8. •For those families that couldn’t afford
the fee, I think special concern should
be considered towards these
families, so that even though they
might not be able to afford the
fee, they can still partake in the athletic
programs.

9. • Participation in high school sports is often an early
indicator of academic and personal success later in life.
Athletic programs help students by stimulating the
brain and enhancing cognitive function. Active kids =
smarter kids.
• Such schools as Yale and Harvard and 70% of nations
other major universities have stated that participation in
high school athletics is a significant consideration for
deciding which applicants are accepted for enrollment
every year.

10. • Athletic programs teach students teamwork,
sportsmanship, winning and losing, hard work, selfdiscipline, builds self-confidence, and develops
competitive skills.
• High school athletics should always continue to be an
integral part in our youths educational experience.
• By fully participating in the financing of your high
schools athletic programs, you make a wise investment
in your children’s character and their future.

11. "Athletics Help Students Achieve, Stay out of Trouble | The Honolulu
Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper." Athletics Help Students Achieve,
Stay out of Trouble | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper.
N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2013.
"It's a No Brainer: Active Kids = Smarter Kids." Safe Routes to School
National Partnership. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2013.
Mathews, Jay. "How Sports Can Help High Schools." Washington
Post. The Washington Post, 17 Sept. 2011. Web. 02 Nov. 2013.
“Participating Fees – Attempts to Keep Athletic Programs Afloat” |
Originally Published In High School Today, November 2007, page 10
(NFHS). By Emily Cerling and Bob Herman