Date of Award

Spring 5-2007

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Educational Leadership and Research

Committee Chair

Dr. Thelma Roberson

Committee Member 2

Dr. James T. Johnson

Committee Member 3

Dr. Andrea Wesley

Committee Member 4

Dr. Rose McNeese

Abstract

This study examined a selected Georgia suburban school system’s high school students’ experiences, interests, and abilities in athletics. In addition, the study examined the principal and athletic director’s perceptions and recommendations in response to their students’ experiences, interests, and abilities.

To accomplish this purpose, the researcher relied on two questionnaires: Assessment o f Students ’ Experiences, Interests, and Abilities (ASEIA), and Principals and Athletic Directors (PAD). ASEIA, designed by the researcher, was guided by the Office of Civil Right’s web-based prototype survey, the review of the literature, and the research questions. ASEIA was intended to solicit responses about students’ demographics and athletic interests, abilities and experiences. ASEIA consisted of three sections. Part I included demographic questions related to age, gender, classification, and ethnicity. Part II included information related to students’ athletic experiences, current participation, expected participation, and barriers to participation. Part III, using a 5- point scale, provided information regarding athletic experience, current participation, interests in future participation, and abilities for each of the twenty-seven sports listed.

PAD, designed by the researcher and qualitative in nature, was based on a review of the literature and the research questions. The questionnaire was intended to solicit perceptions and recommendations in response to students’ demographics and athletic interests, abilities and experiences. PAD consisted of two parts. Part I inquired about the educational and career history of the principals and athletic directors. Part II included open-ended questions intended to allow the principals and athletic directors to reveal their perceptions and generate recommendations in response to their students’ athletic experiences, interests, and abilities.

The results of this study seem to indicate that the principals and athletic directors within this selected Georgia suburban school system are mostly aware of their students’ athletic experiences, interests, and abilities and are extremely focused on maintaining athletic programs equitable in participatory opportunities. Furthermore, based upon the data, the school system is currently offering those sports in which students possess interest in participating. In addition, the results of this study offer the school system a strong base of support for proclaiming compliance with Title IX’s regulations and making an earnest effort to accommodate the athletic interests and abilities of its students.