A comparative analysis of students' performance in SEC physical education and the core subjects

Abstract

Physical Education is assumed to be a subject targeting the low academic achievers (Pulis, 2000). This study investigates whether such an assumption holds. In particular it analyses whether a correlation exists between grades obtained in SEC Physical Education and those achieved in the core subjects of the years 2004 and 2009. This data provides an insight on the academic levels of students and the quality of students opting for Physical Education. SPSS® is used to compare the results obtained by students in Physical Education as opposed to those obtained in their core subjects. The results show that there is an appreciable correlation between the variables. In addition, it is evident that Physical Education at SEC level is also studied by academically gifted students. The study also aims at investigating the differences between educational institutions and gender, in terms of grades obtained in SEC Physical Education (of 2009). SPSS® is also used to analyse such differences. Interviews were also carried out with fifteen teachers teaching SEC Physical Education at different institutions (State, Independent and Church schools). The aim of these interviews was to investigate the students' background and their ability in Physical Education. Data gathered from interviews and examination statistics yield two significant conclusions. Girls have a tendency to achieve better results than boys. Furthermore, students attending Independent and Church schools tend to perform better than those attending State Schools.