<p> Research studies of extracurricular activities have illustrated specific relationships between participation and certain student characteristics, such as higher grades, higher standardized test scores, higher attendance, fewer discipline issues, and increased positive school perception. Since so much of the previous research on extracurricular activities has focused on the secondary education level, the researcher questioned whether or not these same relationships would be present in elementary school students who participated in extracurricular activities. This research study was conducted at one elementary school in a large metropolitan area to determine what, if any, relationships among variables including length of time participating in the activity were evident amongst extracurricular activity participants. This study compared the MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) scores in math and communication arts, office discipline referral rates, and attendance rates of elementary school students who had participated in extracurricular activities to those students who did not participate in extracurricular activities. The researcher used both a mixed-methods approach to determine if there was a difference between those students who took part in extracurricular activities and those who did not. The quantitative part of the study demonstrated a relationship between participation in extracurricular activities and higher communication arts and math standardized test scores. A relationship was also evident between participation in extracurricular activities and higher communication arts standardized test scores for those who participated in extracurricular activities for a longer amount of time; however there was not a statistical difference in attendance or office discipline referrals for length of participation or participation in extracurricular activities in general. The study also examined relationships between extracurricular participation and students' school perception. The qualitative analysis, which consisted of data gathered by student (<i> n</i>=65) and parent (<i>n</i>=29) questionnaires, revealed more similarities between extracurricular activity participants and non-participants than differences. The researcher was able to conclude that certain relationships existed amongst extracurricular activity participants and standardized test scores. The study concluded with implications and recommendations for future implementation of elementary extracurricular activity programs. </p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3561144 |
| Date | 25 June 2013 |
| Creators | Israel, John M. |
| Publisher | Lindenwood University |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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