Every year, much is made of the question of whether scholarship athletes in revenue-producing sports are receiving college educations. NCAA officials argue that since the passage of several academic reform measures, the academic performance of athletes continues to improve. Still, others argue that even if the measures of academic performance, such as the academic progress rate (APR) and graduation success rate (GSR), appear to be improving, those measures may not be telling the full story. In effect, as pressures to keep athletes eligible to play have increased, there may be greater pressure to cluster athletes in “easy” majors.
Read the 2015 article “Why Student-Athletes Continue to Fail Links to an external site.” Why Student Athletes Continue To Fail | TIME and the following news release from the NCAA website: “DI to Distribute Revenue Based on Academic DI to distribute revenue based on academics - NCAA.org
is there a problem with revenue-producing athletes not graduating at the same rates as other athletes or the general student population?
Are athletes clustered into easy courses or majors?
What is the NCAA doing to prevent this from happening?
Full Answer Section
Are Athletes Clustered in Easy Courses/Majors?
There's a possibility. While the passage doesn't provide definitive proof, it raises the concern:
- Pressure to Maintain Eligibility:Increased pressure to keep athletes eligible might lead institutions to steer them towards easier courses or majors to ensure they meet academic requirements.
What's the NCAA Doing?
The NCAA news release highlights efforts to address the issue:
- Academic Performance Metrics:Distributing revenue based on academics incentivizes institutions to prioritize student-athletes' academic success.
- Potential Improvements:This approach could lead to changes in how athletes are academically supported and ensure they graduate with valuable degrees.
However, the article suggests these measures might not be enough:
- Full Picture:Graduation Success Rate (GSR) might not capture the whole story. Other factors like chosen majors or long-term career prospects could be impacted by prioritizing eligibility over well-rounded education.
Overall, there's evidence suggesting a potential problem with graduation rates and course selection for revenue-producing athletes. The NCAA's efforts to link revenue to academic performance are a step, but further investigation and potentially more comprehensive academic support systems might be needed.