CNN analysis: Some college athletes play like adults, read like 5th-graders (Haley Hill-4th)

CNN analysis: Some college athletes play like adults, read like 5th-graders

Sara Ganim

Wed January 8, 2014

By Haley Hill

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/07/us/ncaa-athletes-reading-scores/?iref=obinsite

     Mary Willingham, a learning specialist, was in charge of helping athletes adapt to classwork at UNC at Chapel Hill. But when students started coming to her, unable to read, she was shocked. After students who couldn't even sound out multisyllibic words came to her for help, she soon noticed a pattern that students involved in football and basketball at school were mainly the students that needed her help. 

    CNN heard this story and soon led an investigation where they asked colleges for information on whether students playing sports could read. Some declined to respond and of the 37 schools asked, 21 responded. At UNC, Willingham figured out that about 60% of athletes read between 4th and 8th grade levels; about 10% read around a 3rd grade level. 

   Fake classes and teachers signing off on things that were never completed are just some of the problems that help contribute to this level of illiteracy. Willingham even admits to cheating by signing documents from the NCAA saying she didn't witness any rules being violated, when in fact, she did. In fact, she stated she would only do it for sports students because they needed it. 

    Because the NCAA teams have billions of dollars at stake to succeed, it's sometimes a priority for schools to admit strong athletes, while academics are put on the back burner. However, when around 5700 athletes that make money for their school were accepted into college with below a 700 on the SAT, the argument between athletics versus academics becomes serious. Which is more important to you?