Increased political and research interest in extracurricular activities stems, in part, from the claim that these programs especially benefit disadvantaged youth. However, little literature has synthesized studies across types of disadvantage to assess this claim. This article reviews research on disadvantaged youth in extracurricular programs,…

A large body of research has reported a positive relation between participation in extracurricular activities (ECA) and improved academic performance, social competence, and school engagement. This study explored the relation between ECA, social competence, and school engagement for students with and at risk of emotional and behavioral disorders…

Campus climate, student engagement, and academic achievement are three critical issues in higher education institutions. In this study, perceived campus climate measured the experience of students on a campus; engagement measured the degree of students' academic and extra-curricular involvement, while academic achievement was usually measured by…

Objective: To identify factors independently associated with program participation and knowledge of campus processes to address sexual assault and harassment complaints. Participants: 1,182 undergraduates who completed the University of Michigan's 2015 campus climate survey on topics of sexual assault and harassment (67% response rate). Methods:…

Objective: To explore the relationship between past 30-day nonmedical prescription stimulant use (NPSU) and past 30-day marijuana and/or alcohol use, past 30-day risky marijuana and/or alcohol use, student demographics, and student activity involvement among college students. Participants: Sample of 604 college-aged students at two large…

We examined key influences on STEM college seniors' postgraduate plans. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Freshmen we utilized multilevel modeling to identify variables associated with planning to pursue a STEM-related job or STEM graduate study after graduation. Key findings emphasize the importance of volunteering and…

Nonconsensual sexual activity remains a prominent and troubling aspect of undergraduate student life at U.S. colleges and universities. Past research revealed that 23.6% of female undergraduate students, and 5.8% of male undergrads, had experienced nonconsensual sexual contact. Given the scope of the problem, identifying groups of students…

In the present study, the linkages between study abroad participation, participation in other high-impact educational practices, and participation in co-curricular activities were examined. It was the purpose of the study to determine if study abroad participants also chose to participate in multiple other high-impact educational practices and…

Prior work has demonstrated that debate is associated with academic achievement in high school. Whether debate in high school is predictive of better college outcomes beyond its established relationship with promoting college readiness as indicated by the ACT is unknown. This research examines and evaluates the impact of participating in a high…

The purpose of this study was to explore special education graduation rates for students who were involved in sports and/or extracurricular activities. Previous research has established that participation in athletics and extracurricular activities provides important health and social benefits for children. Federal laws help to ensure that…

Belonging is an essential aspect of psychological functioning. Schools offer unique opportunities to improve belonging for school-aged children. Research on school belonging, however, has been fragmented and diluted by inconsistency in the use of terminology. To resolve some of these inconsistencies, the current study uses meta-analysis of…

Participation rates in postsecondary education vary greatly by race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status (SES). In addition to issues of access, there are also problems with retention and persistence across higher education; improving retention and degree attainment for students continues to be an issue for higher education professionals.…

Since the coronavirus pandemic began in early 2020, K-12 students have faced unprecedented upheaval in many aspects of their daily lives. Their schools abruptly closed and almost overnight their classes shifted to remote learning, a largely unfamiliar instructional model for them and their teachers. To learn more about the impact on students'…

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) National School Climate Survey is our flagship report on the school experiences of LGBTQ youth in schools, including the extent of the challenges that they face at school and the school-based resources that support LGBTQ students' well-being. The survey has consistently indicated that…

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) National School Climate Survey is the flagship report on the school experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth in schools, including the extent of the challenges that they face at school and the school-based resources that support LGBTQ students' well-being.…