Persistent Participation: Differences in Race, Ethnicity, and Nativity in Ongoing Involvement in Music and Athletics

Elizabeth Raleigh, University of Pennsylvania

This paper analyzes racial, ethnic, and nativity differences in children’s participation in extracurricular activities and their link to academic achievement. Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, I argue that there are clear differences by race, ethnicity and nativity in levels of ongoing participation in music and athletics as well as the benefits rewarded from being involved in these activities. Differing levels of participation are especially apparent in athletics such that compared to their native white counterparts, Black, Hispanic and Asian children have lower odds of participating in athletics across the first and third grades. These differing levels of participation in activities are important because findings show that ongoing participation in music and athletics are positively associated with academic performance.