Secondary education and high dedication sport: Qualitative study of the compatibility programs

The aim of this article is to understand the educational models, which seek to combine studies and high dedication sport in secondary education, and the involvement of clubs in their management. We analyzed the model with a non-integrated project for athletes (adapted curriculum without responsibility to the sport), and the integrated model (studies and sport under its responsibility). Given the awareness that few athletes benefit from institutionalized aids, the effectiveness of these models of compatibility is examined in order to help other student athletes. In addition to the educational inspection, we interviewed directors of public and private schools (n= 5) as well as technical directors of a team sport (basketball) and an individual sport (swimming), with different requirements (n = 9), from a qualitative and descriptive approach. In order for this to be done, a semi-structured interview divided into three blocks was developed: genesis and structure of the project; concrete measures to combine studies and sport, and future prospects. The results showed a greater legal and educational sensitivity toward student-athletes, although the educational models that support them are still in a developmental phase. The variability of the studied indicators hinders the cohesion of solutions for an effective harmonization between school and sport. Due to this, endemic problems such as the legal deepening of projects, similar adaptation as in the studies of music or dance and rational flexibility of the calendar, remain unsolved at the political level.