An analysis of the MSHSAA competitive balance policy of 2020: has equity been achieved?
Abstract
The proliferation of private schools' success in interscholastic athletics has led many state activities governing bodies to develop policies that help to ensure competitive balance (Johnson, Maxwell and Scott, 2019). The biggest single factor in interscholastic competitive balance is whether a high school is public or private (Cohen, 1997: Epstien, 2008: Johnson et al., 2015: Popke, 2012). Private and public schools have distinct differences that are paramount in the competitive balance problem. School boundary limitations, student recruitment, student body demographics, and tuition assistance are all pieces of the equation. In the State of Missouri, differences in public and private schools' postseason success are apparent in sports and activities. The purpose of this study was to examine proportions of non-MSIP schools (private) success in post season championships. Research implications and scholarly context were presented by looking at the available historical data. A majority of the statistical tests for the research questions revealed statistically nonsignificant differences in pre- and post-policy proportions of non-MSIP schools in the top-four of the state championship series. Two tests revealed a difference in proportion, men's track and field with a decrease in proportion and baseball with an increase in proportion. The null hypothesis is accepted in all cases except for baseball and men's track and field.
Degree
Ed. D.