Date of Award
Spring 5-8-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education in School Leadership
Department
Teaching & Educational Leadership
College
College of Education and Health
Committee Chair
Dr. John Freeman
Second Committee Member
Dr. Steve Bounds
Third Committee Member
Dr. Jeff Flanigan
Program Director
Dr. John Freeman
Dean of Graduate College
Dr. Michael J. Bradley
Abstract
Academic achievement and school engagement of Hispanic students are persistent concerns in the United States education system. Research has indicated that extracurricular activities can mitigate some of these concerns; however, limited research has examined their effects specifically among Hispanic students. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of extracurricular activities on academic achievement, attendance, and discipline among junior high school Hispanic students. In this study, archival data from two consecutive academic years were obtained for Hispanic students in a public school district in Arkansas, United States.
Academic achievement was measured using state-standardized test scores; attendance was measured by the number of days absent; and discipline was measured by the total number of recorded disciplinary incidents. Independent samples t-tests were conducted to compare students who participated in extracurricular activities with those who did not. Results indicated that Hispanic students who participated in extracurricular activities demonstrated higher academic achievement, had fewer absences, and fewer disciplinary incidents than students who did not participate. These findings suggest that extracurricular participation may support academic and behavioral outcomes and school engagement among Hispanic students, who have historically shown lower levels of success in these areas than their Caucasian peers.
Implications for school leaders, policy makers, and educators include expanding culturally relevant extracurricular programs and reducing access barriers for Hispanic students. Recommendations for future research include longitudinal designs and the exploration of factors that serve as barriers to extracurricular participation among Hispanic students.
Recommended Citation
Jennings, Michael, "The Effects of Extracurricular Activities on Academic Achievement, Attendance, and Discipline on Hispanic Students in One Northwest Arkansas Junior High School" (2026). ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present. 100.
https://orc.library.atu.edu/etds_2021/100