Stratification of Sports and Fitness at High Schools of Different Socio-

Economic Status

By: Raymond W Bowker, Wilton Jordan, Nina Grant

Schools with Their Socio-economic

StatusWe chose three different schools because of their perceived Socio-Economic Status.The first school we chose was Star Spencer. It was chosen for its believed low socio-economic status. This belief was confirmed by the high amount of individual poverty (19%) and low amount of income per household at $31,116The second school we chose was Putnam City West. That was because it was believed to be part of the middle class.

Schools with Their Socio-economic Status cont.

The third and final school we chose to examine was Heritage Hall

We did this because it was believed that the student body at Heritage Hall is a mostly upper middle class.

Demographic Comparison

Star Spencer Putnam City West

87% Black8% White2% Hispanic2% American Indian1% Asian

47% White25% Black18% Hispanic3% Asian7% American Indian

Economic Comparison

Star Spencer Putnam City West

Median family income – 34,947.

Average household income - $31,116

Average family income - $37,470

Demographic and Economic Comparisons cont.

Heritage Hall Demographic

Heritage Hall Economic

75% White7% Asian7% Black2% American Indian1% Hispanic

Average Annual Household Income - $51,460

Average Annual Oklahoma Family Income – $51,595

Importance of The Fitness Facilities at a High School

There is Evidence that participating in a sport during high school does have a positive effect on the individuals’ future. ◦ “[W]hite males were more likely to be attending college in 1984 if they had

participated in sports in high school. ◦ Athletic participation among white female athletes from suburban and rural

schools was significantly related to 4-year college attendance in 1984. ◦ Hispanic male athletes from suburban and rural schools were somewhat more

likely than nonathletes to be attending 4-year colleges in 1984. ◦ No black males or females in any category were more likely to be attending

college in 1984 if they had participated in high school sports.” (Donald, Melnick, & Vanfossen, 1993).

Another reason the fitness facilities of a high school would be important to examine is the health benefits gained by participating in an athletic activity while in high school. ◦ “Combined with other research indicating that physical fitness during youth is an

indicator of disease risk later in life, there seems to be strong support for the assertion that steps need to be taken to eliminate the disparity in fitness levels based on ethnicity or SES.” (Fahlman, Hall, & Robyn, 2006).

Importance of The Fitness Facilities at a High School, cont.

The third reason fitness facilities at high schools should be emphasized and use of the facilities encouraged is that participation in a high school sport leads to a positive psychological well being to go along with the positive health benefits that occur. “◦ being involved in sport was associated with the development of both

Physical Competence and Instrumentality, which in turn, were related to more positive feelings about one’s body.” (Greenleaf, Boyer, & Petrie, 2009).

It has also been shown that being involved in an athletic activity has a very large effect on the student. ◦ “[A]thletic participation appears to contribute to increased levels of grades,

self-concept, locus of control, and educational aspirations, and to decreased levels of discipline problems. In fact, in each of these models except for educational aspirations, the effect of athletic participation is greater than that of family income, parent education, gender, and Asian or Hispanic origin.” (Fejgin, 1994).

Star Spencer

Star Spencer

Star Spencer

Star Spencer

Putnam City West

Putnam City West

Putnam City West

Putnam City West

Heritage Hall

Heritage Hall

Heritage Hall

Heritage Hall

Heritage Hall

Heritage Hall

Heritage Hall

Heritage Hall