In the website http://clearinghouse.missouriwestern.edu/manuscripts/11.php the National Undergraduate Research Clearinghouse Site, there was a study done to find the relationship between extra-curricular activities, G.P.A and self esteem. The idea was to find out how extra-curricular activities affect self esteem, and then how self esteem affects G.P.A. The study used thirty four college students attending Missouri Western State College. The Independent Samples T-Test that was conducted showed no significant relationship between extracurricular activities and G.P.A. All tests showed no significant correlation between extracurricular activities and self esteem, or any correlation between self-esteem and G.P.A.
Another test done by Carl E. Schlesser in the website http://www2.uwstout.edu/content/lib/thesis/2004/2004schlesserc.pdf was the correlation between extracurricular activities and grade point average of middle school Students. This study was an examination of students’ grade point averages in relation to participation in after school sponsored activities. The sample consisted of 111 students from three different small Midwestern rural eighth grade classes. Students’ G.P.A.s were recorded along with whether or not they participated in extracurricular activities, including athletics and extra academic opportunities. Student gender was also included in the analysis. The activities included football, basketball, golf, track, wrestling, volleyball, swing choir, jazz band, and forensics. A two-way Analysis of Variance was used to examine the relationship between gender, extracurricular participation, and their interaction with G.P.A. As expected, extracurricular participation showed a significant relationship with G.P.A. for both male and female students. This study showed no causal evidence that students’ participation affected their grades point average.
A test done by Monte Hunter on http://hcausa.com/pdf/Case-for-Extracurricular-Facilities.pdf involving the correlation between high school G.P.A and extracurricular activities. The study also showed the correlation between attendance and extracurricular activities. His study included a large population of 19,593 students in ten different districts. They found the average GPA of students involved in extracurricular activities was 13% higher than students not involved in extracurricular activities. They determined that not only did the GPA of these students increased, but the attendance of the students was increased by 4% which is roughly seven days over the school year. There are many theories for the correlation of extracurricular activities and classroom performance.
According to Monte Hunter, “Some believe those involved in extracurricular activities are more motivated to make their grades to stay eligible. Some believe the more motivated students gravitate to extracurricular activities. Some believe such activities keep the student more stimulated. Some believe that extracurricular students do better because they have their “niche” in school. Some believe such activities foster a sense of belonging to the school. Regardless of the theory, the association of those involved in extracurricular activities with improved grades and attendance is undeniable.”
Two of these tests done, have each shown no relationship between cumulative G.P.A and extracurricular activities. There are clearly other extraneous factors that affect the G.P.A of students. This follows our statement of the problem. The other test done however, has shown that there is a relationship between G.P.A and Extracurricular activities. They have found that students involved in extracurriculars had a higher G.P.A then those not involved.