Analysis of Expenditures and Participation in Public School Sports By: Brian J. Foster, Ph.D., and James E. Mattern, Ed.D. Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania November 2020 This project was sponsored by a grant from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a legislative agency of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative agency that serves as a resource for rural policy within the Pennsylvania General Assembly. It was created in 1987 under Act 16, the Rural Revitalization Act, to promote and sustain the vitality of Pennsylvania’s rural and small communities. Information contained in this report does not necessarily reflect the views of individual board members or the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. For more information, contact the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, 625 Forster St., Room 902, Harrisburg, PA 17120, telephone (717) 787-9555, email:
[email protected], www.rural.palegislature.us. Key Findings This research analyzed interscholastic athletic participation and expenditure data for Pennsylvania school districts. Using data from 2014-2017, the researchers examined the relationship between interscholastic athletic participation, school athletic expenditures, socioeconomic indicators, and Pennsylvania school district-level indictors. Key findings: 1. Athletic participation is statistically related to several positive outcomes, including: a. Decreased school suspensions in rural areas; b. Increased Keystone Exam scores in urban areas; and c. Increased graduation rates in urban areas. 2. Trends in participation rates were: a. Rural boys: Football, outdoor track and field, and basketball were the three most popular sports. Noteworthy participation changes from 2014-15 to 2016-17 included lacrosse (+21 percent) and tennis (+16 percent).