SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Girls Varsity Soccer Poverty, Affluence, and Soccer Success

Having spent my professional career studying the impact of povety and affluence on student achievement (such as test scores with the SAT and PACT), I was prompted by our other discussion concerning allowing private schools to dominate A/AA girls soccer to look at poverty, affluence, and soccer success this year in girls soccer. Food for thought:

School—Poverty Rank (1 = most affluent; out of 209 public high schools in SC)/ Poverty Index

Playoff Finalists

A/AA

CC private
SSC private

AAA

Riverside—2/ 15.84
B-C—85/54.55

AAAA

Dorman—41/ 41.64
Irmo—16/30.7

05/07/06 Rankings

AAAA
Wando—8/23.24
Dorman—41/ 41.64
Lexington—4/16.53
Irmo—16/30.7
Fort Mill—3/16.33
Mauldin—11/24.98
Summerville—32/36.98
Hilton Head—7/22.82
TL Hanna—30/36.53
Dutch Fork—6/21.47

AAA

Riverside—2/ 15.84
B-C—85/54.55
Eastside—12/25.42
Chapin—1/12.1
JL Mann—21/32.23
Myrtle Beach—74/51.12
Greenville—56/47.08
Dreher—52/45.36
Airport—80/53.76
AC Flora—42/42.37

A/AA
BE private
Academic Magnet—5/17.09
SSC private
CC private
Emerald—77/52.45
Woodruff—59/47.62
Waccamaw—20/32.08
Walhalla—50/44.71
West-Oak—N/A
Gilbert—36/38.65

Affluence matters. Look at the listing by poverty index in SC and you see the top soccer schools populating the upper-levels of our rankings and our playoffs. There is a clear correlation, just as with test scores. This must be considered when people say schools need to "try harder" and need to "hire better coaches." Public schools by and large must work with those students who happen to pass through their doors each day. Many schools and coaches are doing outstanding jobs with the populations they are handed; that excellent work often does not translate into success in the ways we measure.

This is absolutely great stuff!

Earlier this year, when CESA and CRSA announced a partnership, there was some skepticism/cynicism concerning why CRSA would be singled out by CESA as a club that was doing a great job serving underserved communities. I think looking at BC and Airport, areas that CRSA serves, shows that it's possible for a club to have a big impact in terms of soccer even under adverse socioeconomic conditions.

Thanks for the comment, Chico. I would agree that B-C deserves credit for some outstanding work, by this data. Airport as well.

If you want the numbers, I should have added, go here; provided by the State Dept of Educ—

http://www.myscschools.com/reportcard/2005/data/

This is fascinating but is it surprising? Soccer is a wealth driven product in this country. We don’t have kids playing in the streets, in parks, and on playgrounds unless they are fully sanctioned by their club (to which their parents have paid fees). While I admit that is a broad generalization, it rings with truth. In Europe, South America, and Africa, kids play for fun AND because they see soccer as a way to earn a living, a way to put food on the table. In the US, kids might see soccer as a way to go to college, but they don’t worry about it paying the bills. I’ll be the first to admit I’d like all my players to play club, and for the most part it isn’t a problem financially. But I often ask myself if I personally or coaches in general are doing enough to help kids play who can’t afford to play the game.

Thanks for the stats.

What's surprising to me is how B-C, with CRSA's help, consistently bucks the trend. I think it's a wonderful example of the impact that youth soccer clubs can have on a community if they want to actively promote and develop youth soccer as opposed to sitting back and being happy with whatever kids come to tryouts.

I agree with both T. and Chico—Not surprised overall, but surprised by (or am in awe of) the schools that overcome the disadvantage of poverty. We might can see with more research that it takes WAY more than trying hard, or hiring a "good" coach. It may take efforts BEYOND the schools, as Chico is suggesting. Club and community in harmony for what is best for all children regardless of the accidents of their births.

B-C is at #85 out of 205, correct? That's still in the top 41% so it's not like they're turning the world on it's side. I think more urbanized areas (Greenville, Columbia, & Charleston) can help negate lower poverty rankings. I think your report is wonderful and tells a lot about South Carolina Soccer.

Lincoln High School(194) is playing in the boys final after they beat Academic Magnet(5) in the Lower State Championship. Excellent work boys!

I was just about to post something in that regard. Regardless of their outcome against CC..Lincoln is to be commended.

Great thread.