The requirement for continuous improvements and the lack of funds for schools to properly implement all the mandates puts schools in the inevitable position of having to make tough decisions with regards to programs. The central theme of NCLB requires states to adopt a plan for accountability that will lead to increased achievement for all students. Due to the need to fund and support cognitive activities, monies are often stripped from non-cognitive programs. While schools have never had an abundance of funds, co-curricular activities and interscholastic athletics have often been singled out as programs that could be cut for the sake of saving money while placing greater concentration on academic performance (Pressley & Whitley, 1996). Further exacerbating the problem in the state of New Jersey is that educational resources are differentially distributed in schools (McNeal, 2010). Even though the total cost per pupil for lower socioeconomic schools is not significantly different from that of higher socioeconomic schools, more affluent districts have a higher per student cost for athletics (Bao, Romeo, & Harvey, 2010). Involvement in high school athletics occurs at lower rates among members of those groups that are typically less economically advantaged. Differential access and opportunities to athletics has the potential to exclude certain students from alternative pathways to increased achievement (McNeal, 2010). To create the most productive environment for students, educational leaders must consider not only what happens in the classroom. While usually constituting less than three percent of the overall budget, extracurricular activities have been associated with several positive outcomes. Being able to determine what factors effect the distribution and access to athletic opportunities will assist educational administrators to make more informed decisions regarding spending in their districts. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]