Should Sports Be A Required Part Of Elementary Education Essay

Abstract: Society is affected every day by many different kinds of sports.  These sports often govern society's way of life.  People all over the nation turn their TVs to sporting events, such as golf, during the weekends.   Scott Stossel states that "more than six million Americans enjoy watching golf on the weekends."  Parents  use sports as a teaching tool for their children.  Kids learn teamwork and discipline from team sports programs and  sports have also helped many students with their grades.  Kids who want to compete in school sports are taught to keep their grades up or they won't be able to play, but the greedy coaches and schools often look around grades to keep their "star athletes" in the games.  Adults have

As more and more schools shift much of their focus on sports, questions arise to whether or not it's detrimental to the education system. Schools across the nation have a great variation of sports and people of different backgrounds participate and encourage such rigorous activities; however, for many, sports, specifically football, are seen as a causation of inflated heads, budget cuts on academic courses, and baseless dreams. Although football is perceived as a sport with no future tied to it and takes the spotlight from the academic success of a school, the sport promotes personal growth and teaches lessons far beyond a football field that segregating it from schools would result in grave repercussions.

In order for students to have the success they need in school, it is essential for them to on their education before sports. In Amanda Ripley’s article Should Your School Get Rid of Sports? she says, “More than 20 nations have better high school graduation rates” (10). Ripley continues by stating that, Jenny, an 18

The Atlantic article, “High-School Sports Aren’t Killing Academics,” by Daniel H. Bowen and Colin Hitt make a statement on the sports programs in schools. They oppose the thought that participating in sports programs results in a student’s academics suffering, but instead believe sports programs provide academic benefits. Their article targets the article, “The Case Against High-School Sports”, by Amanda Ripley who argues that participation in sports at school cost students’ academic success. The duo constructs their argument around Ripley’s claims and counter her points to strengthen their own. Their argument has a mix of supporting information and points that weakened Bowen and Hitt’s claim. This is due to the methods and evidence they provided which didn’t appear as convincing when trying to persuade readers.

The impact of preserving sports in high schools has been surrounded by much controversy as people suspect that it is the reason behind the poor academic achievement of students. Opponents to high school sports feel that allowing athletics to be a part of schools sidetracks the focus of the student body, which goes completely against the main purpose of schools. Indeed, this assertion is completely true and based upon plentiful evidence. High school sports undoubtedly come at the expense of student academic achievement since they divert the attention of students away from academics and they come with far too many financial costs, both of which incur negative impacts on the academics within a school. The bottomline is that sports are harming the education of students, so a school must make the decision between composing quality sports teams or providing high level academics; both of these choices simply cannot occur simultaneously.

Everyone knows academics are the main point of school, but athletics have begun to take over and draw away from that focus. Many individuals believe school sports are more important than ever; however, cost is excessive and players often think about upcoming games or matches, detracting attention from homework. Therefore, districts should eliminate after-school sports because they cost tremendous amounts of money, cause academic failure, and are a major distraction.

"The Case against High-School Sports." The Atlantic Oct. 2013: 72+. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Feb. 2016.

Amanda Ripley argues in her essay “The Case Against High School Sports,” that high school sports should be removed in favor of a higher focus on education. Ripley presents her argument why removing high school sports would help “America’s mediocrity in education” (1). Ripley draws the comparison between the educational capabilities of South Korea and the United States. Ripley presents the story of one Texas high school, an area considered the heart and soul of American football from movies such as “Friday Night Lights.” While Ripley presents multiple arguments against high school sports, there are some other arguments that can still be made, such as the heavy financial burden on our schools and the potential injuries to our students.

Amanda Ripley, in her article “The Case Against High School Sports,” describes how she believes high school sports is a detriment to the education of America’s children. Ripley compares American academic performance to that of other countries, and explains how American schools place focus on athletics that other countries’ schools do not. Ripley’s argument against high school sports has many inconsistencies, but produces a valid argument in spite of that. Because sports are a priority in the U.S. and not so much in other countries, Ripley implies sports are the reason why other countries have a higher score on a test regarding critical thinking in math. Ripley acknowledges the benefits of sports very briefly.

Imagine you’re a teenager in a high school who is involved in athletics, and sports are the one thing you love doing the most. Now imagine that one day out of nowhere your sports team was cut, and the one thing that you so deeply loved you are no longer able to do. A lot of people wonder if sports are too much of a priority in schools, and whether or not they should be cut. Students disagree that sports are too much of a priority, and claim athletics make them the person that they are, and that they wouldn’t be the same without sports. School districts should not cut sport programs because they benefit students, they bring in money and publicity to the school, and it gives the students a fit and healthy lifestyle.

For years, schools have devoted large amounts of time and money into sports programs for their students. According to several studies, it has been proven too much funding and effort is put into athletics, and not enough emphasis is placed on education. Therefore, in order for schools to improve their overall performance, sports should be eliminated to provide additional academic funds for the district, improve students’ test scores, and increase time in the day for studies to be completed.

Sports are embedded in many American schools in a way they are not anywhere else. One element of our educational system consistently surprises them, “Sports are a huge deal in American schools,” says Earl Smith of the New York Times. The positives have always outweighed the negatives in the case against high school sports. As Sato Kai state, “The benefits of sports as part of the education process are abundant and sometimes beyond quantifications,” According to many academic specialists, sports offer formative and life long lessons such as: discipline, responsibility, self confidence, and accountability. These skills can furthermore excel your later life and give you a greater chance of being employed in a high level job. Participation in high school sports helps your later development as an adult and teaches you life long skills that can't be taught elsewhere.

Sports programs have been an integral part of all schools. They support the academics of the school and therefore foster success in life. These programs are educational and help produce productive citizenship. They help students experience and build skills that may help them in their future, like interpersonal and time management skills. Education may kindle the light of knowledge, but sports help to maintain the proper physique. Sports are also an important means of entertainment and a use for energy after long hours of study. Sports increase a student’s performance not only in the classroom but also in their life.

Sports and the general physical activities have been associated with a plethora of benefits. Not so much in correlation with education though. The debate on sports and academic performance relates as to whether sports affect academic performance positively or negatively. Mostly, academics, especially in high school and colleges, require an enormous time commitment. In the same way, sports demand time commitment. Apparently, academics and sports run linearly and either would consume the time of the other. Such would be the argument put forth by the claimants of the negative effects of sports on academic performance. The opponents to the positive correlation of sports and academic performance ground their arguments largely on the time commitment that the two require claiming that sports would consume a student’s time for study hence affecting their academic performance. Proponents of a positive correlation between sports and academic performance summon an extensive range of evidence showing that students who participate in sports perform well in academics. The proponents’ arguments are fetched from the proven benefits of exercise which improve a student’s overall well-being and motivate their academic performance. Opponents would, however, argue that the studies that find athletes and sports persons good at academics do not show how such correlations occur in that other factors could be the actual causes of the correlation and not sports in themselves. Regardless, opponents to the claim that sports affect academic performance positively cannot deny that sports affect the overall well being of any human being. As such, there is no denying that sports affect academic performance positively where a balance among the two is maintained.

Going to school is not only about learning and making good grades. It is also about making relationships and learning how to handle situations. In most schools, sports are a way to learn these things by participating and making the best of it. Even if one is not good and they always get picked last, sports can have an impact on their life to get better and shock their classmates. In the article “I pity those children forced to do Zumba at school,” Jemima Lewis makes an ineffective argument through her methods of handling opposing points, giving good sources, and writing an argument that is clearly understood.