Effects of After School Sport Programs

By: Ashley Pastino

Introduction
In todays society we are seeing a huge economic downfall with record numbers of people getting cut from their jobs, companies going bankrupt, gas prices at an all-time high and forcing schools to make big budget cuts. When deciding where money should be cut from, one of the first programs to be cut completely is after school sport programs. However, is this the best solution and is this an easy solution that will end up making schools situations harder in the long run? School-based recreational opportunities for youth from lowincome inner-city neighborhoods are often lacking with low budgets and limited space. School programs represent an ideal location for promoting youth development in lowincome areas because they can provide safe, supervised, and structured activities. Such activities should include not only physical education programs, but other extra-curricular activities such as intramural sports and school sport teams (Holt 2012). Since I was interested in how these programs were associated with youth development, I used the concept of positive youth development to conduct this study.

METHODS
I surveyed 424 teachers, administration, and other faculty in the Philadelphia School District to see what their views on students who participate in after school sports and if they believe it does have benefits that students who do not participate have. I wanted to include both Charter Schools and Public Schools in order to see if there was a difference in type of school and also the location in Philadelphia. Also only asking professionals who directly work with students on a day-today basis will give the most accurate results. Parents cant compare their own child to other children in the school because they dont interact with them and see how they behave in school each day.

CONCLUSIONS
I found that sport programs contribute to students in ways that being in the classroom all day cannot do alone. Students learn

DEMOGRAPHICS
Gender
34% 48% 52%

Age
8%

Which of the following best describes your occupation?

1% 8% 7% 6% 3% 3% 72%

Teacher Principal Asst. Principal Athletic Director Other Administration I do not work in a school Other

Female Male
20%

38%

20-25 26-35 36-45 45+

If sport programs are completely cut out of schools this will cause a big problem in the growth of the students and will lead to lower grades and more violence.

RESULTS
I find that students who perform in after school sports are less involved in gangs,fights, and other violent acts than students who aren't involved in sports
45 60 40 50 35

RESEARCH
Other Countries hiring specialists in P.E. to reach all kids and teach lessons after school sport programs do Only 7% of the 4200 students surveyed met the Health standard of Canada Suicide rates are lower in children who are physically active than those who are not.

I find that students who perform in after school sports usually perform better in academics than students who do not play sports

IMPLICATIONS
I find that students who perform in after school sports usually perform better in academics than students who do not play sports

40

30

20

I find that students who perform in after school sports are less involved in gangs,fights, and other violent acts than students who aren't involved in sports

30 25 20 15 10 5

This is study is important to everyone. Kids truly are the future and without sport programs, it will result in negative side effects. If budget cuts from sport programs are the only answer, then incorporating better physical education programs is a must, not only to allow them to have a healthier lifestyle but give more life tools that cant just be incorporated at home or in a classroom. This study can be used in not just city school districts, but all school districts to show that playing a sport after school isnt just a hobby, but a lesson itself that focuses on subjects such as leadership, responsibility, teamwork, and many more. With this study that can find other alternatives to make up for budget cuts, instead of letting the students suffer

10

Philadelphia Areas Surveyed

0 Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

0 Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

Does your school offer an after school club that focuses on fitness?

Do you find this after school fitness club beneficial to the student's fitness and/or academics?
9%

Yes, Fitness
28%

34%

Yes
66%

Yes, Academics
1%

No
62%

Both, Fitness & Academics No

CONTACT INFORMATION
Ashley Pastino Ashley.Pastino@temple.edu (484) 942 5586 Temple University School of Tourism and Hospitality Management Major: Sport and Recreation Management

Have there been budget cuts at your school from athletics?

Do you think these budget cuts have affected the students directly?

34% 66%

Yes No

23%

Yes No

77%

RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN 2012

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