ERIC Number: EJ1064007
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Jul
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0091-5521
EISSN: N/A
Between a Ball and a Harsh Place: A Study of Black Male Community College Student-Athletes and Academic Progress
Horton, David, Jr.
Community College Review, v43 n3 p287-305 Jul 2015
Objective: This study examined to what extent differences exist in pre-college characteristics and academic performance between Black male student-athletes and their student-athlete peers. Method: Data provided by the Florida Department of Education's PK-20 Education Data Warehouse (EDW) were analyzed as a function of group membership (gender and race), using descriptive analysis, cross-tabulations, and a one-way ANOVA. The sample included 513 cases, with White females comprising 36.3% of the sample, White males 24.3%, Black females 15.5%, and Black males 14.3%. Student-athletes' academic performance was operationalized using four continuous variables (grade point average [GPA], course credit hours enrolled, course credit hours earned, and credit hours enrolled/earned ratio) and one dichotomous variable (degree completion). Results: Findings suggest that Black males earned 72% of the credit hours they attempted, which was less than all other examined groups. Within Black males, differences between socio-economic groups were also found. Individuals identified as high socio-economic status (SES) earned approximately 82% of credit hours enrolled, compared with those identified as low SES, which earned 67% of credit hours attempted. Between-group differences were also found when examining college readiness and percentage of degrees completed. Contributions: This study contributes to the extant literature on student-athletes at community and 2-year colleges by providing insight into the potential impact individual characteristics have on academic performance outcomes for Black male student-athletes. The author also provides thoughtful consideration concerning how institutions and policy changes can positively affect these outcomes.
Descriptors: Student Characteristics, African American Students, Males, Athletes, Gender Differences, Racial Differences, White Students, Statistical Analysis, Grade Point Average, Credits, Socioeconomic Status, Two Year College Students, College Credits, Community Colleges, Postsecondary Education, Participation, College Preparation, College Readiness, Graduation, Academic Degrees
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Two Year Colleges; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Center for Education Statistics (ED); National Science Foundation; National Postsecondary Education Cooperative (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Florida
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A