[barranger]

The problem is that multiple changes we made at the same time in that school:

1) Giving Teaches more time for training and planing 2) Making students wear uniforms 3) Aligning the curriculum with more rigorous state standards 4) Drop the sports program

Then spends the rest of the article giving all the credit for the improved test scores to a lack of sports.

[kaa2102]

You made an excellent counterpoint. The improvements in performance were not solely due to dropping sports programs. It may be difficult to tease out the impact that each of the major changes had on performance.

I did participate extensively in high school sports. I think that the benefits far outweigh the costs. In evaluating solutions like dropping sports programs, I believe that other options for performance improvement should both jointly and individually be considered, e.g., minimum GPA for sports participation, uniforms, longer school hours, mandatory summer school, etc.

[mcguire]

Out of curiosity, how many of your teachers were hired primarily as coaches in the sports programs?

"minimum GPA for sports participation"

You wouldn't believe the kerfluffle that caused in Texas[1]. As I recall, the result was rather predictable grade inflation.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Pass_No_Play

[scott_s]

My understanding was that the lack of sports lead to more money, which enabled those things.