Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

This study focuses on leveling the U.S. playing field for girls sports participation. Since the enactment of Title IX in 1972, girls have enjoyed significant gains in opportunities to play sports, (Buchanan, 2012). However, recent trends show stagnant to declining growth (Aspen Institute, 2017) with girls still trailing boys in high school sports participation, (NFHS, 2018) and girls of color and lower socio-economic status falling the farthest behind, (NPAP, 2016). Dating back to 1959 and 1978, the Declaration on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization International Charter of Physical Education and Sport respectively, recognized the ‘fundamental right for all’ globally to have access to physical education and sports, (Beutler, 2008). The positive impact of physical activity on mental and physical health as well as academic and career outcomes, (e.g., Eccles and Barber 1999; Eccles et al. 2003; Where will you find your next leader, 2015; Gore et al. 2001; Harrison and Narayan 2003; Marsh and Kleitman 2003; Miller et al. 2005; Stevenson 2010) are far-reaching. The purpose of this study is to advance the supporting evidence that girls who participate in interscholastic high school sports have higher odds of going to college and provide policymakers and educators with compelling data to fund more opportunities for all girls to access playing sports as a part of their educational experience.