Degree Name

Education Specialist (EdS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1983

Thesis Director

David E. Bartz

Abstract

This study was conducted for the purpose of gaining insights into the present perceptions of Windsor High School students, faculty, and principals from National Trail Conference schools regarding extracurricular eligibility. To accomplish this purpose, three surveys were administered to Windsor High School students and faculty. Additionally, a separate survey was sent to other schools in the National Trail Conference. The four surveys were:

Survey I - Administered to Teachers and Students

Survey II - Administered to Teachers

Survey III - Administered to Teachers

Survey IV - Sent to Principals of National Trail Conference Schools

Of the 140 students enrolled at Windsor High School. ninety-two students were surveyed. Of these, seventy students (76%) completed and returned a survey. Students participated in only one component, Survey I.

Not all of Windsor High School's student body was surveyed due to the fact that the survey was administered to students during their study hall periods. Not all students had a study hall. Also, because the survey was optional, not all of the ninety-two students surveyed completed the questionnaire. Measures were taken to assure that students responded to only one survey instrument.

Surveys I, II, and III were issued to each of the eighteen full-time and part-time teachers at Windsor High School. Twelve teachers responded to Survey I and II. Ten teachers responded to Survey III.

Finally, component Survey IV was a questionnaire which was sent to the other nine principals of the National Trail Conference Schools. This survey component provided a worthwhile comparison as to how Windsor High School's eligibility requirements for extracurricular activities compared to those of other schools of similar composition. All nine National Trail Conference principals responded to Survey IV.

In this study, a method of arriving at a suitable eligibility model for one's school was recommended. This method, referred to as a Delphi method, would utilize input from both students and staff.

The findings from Survey I of this study revealed that the majority of both students and faculty (82%) agreed that it was good to have eligibility rules for athletics and extracurricular activities. Results of Survey I also indicated that the majority of students and faculty felt that having eligibility rules for athletics and extracurricular activities would make students work harder to achieve better grades.

Survey I results furthermore indicated that most students (81%) felt the present eligibility rules were not too easy. The faculty was undecided on this issue (50% not sure). Survey I also revealed that a low percentage of students (37%) were not sure if raising eligibility requirements would motivate students to work harder to get better grades. The faculty was undecided on this issue (50% not sure).

Survey I also revealed that a large portion of the student body (41%) will be out for a sport at some time during the school year. Of this group, the majority (89%) were in favor of having eligibility rules and felt that the present eligibility rules were fair. Most of this group (79%) indicated that having eligibility rules would make them work harder to achieve better grades. However, most students of this group (79%) did not want eligibility requirements increased.

Surveys II and III results indicated that it was difficult to have the faculty agree on a mutually satisfying eligibility model for athletics and extracurricular activities. Results were such that no one eligibility model prevailed.

From the results of Survey IV it was revealed that most schools in the National Trail Conference (67%) had eligibility rules that did not exceed the IHSA minimum requirements. Also, most conference schools (67%) used the same set of eligibility rules for athletic and non-athletic events. Most principals of the conference schools (56%) felt that non-athletic organizations should be excluded from eligibility checks.

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