The problem addressed by this study was whether a shift toward student control could yield a greater academic benefit in student academic achievement than the traditional usage of teacher control since there is a growing perception the adoption of student-centered education will better support the academic needs of students than teacher-centered education. The purpose of this quantitative research study was to examine the correlation between pupil control ideology and student academic achievement. The study was performed via the secondary analysis of the HSLS:09. The results of the first question, which examined the correlational relationship between a humanistic pupil control ideology approach to course selection and the academic achievement, indicated a statistically significant but weak positive correlation, as noted by their performance on mathematical assessments, [rho] = 0.064, p <0.01; [rho] = 0.082, p <0.01; as well as mathematics GPA, [rho] = 0.060, p < 0.01; [rho] = 0.064, p < 0.01. The results of the second question, which examined the correlational relationship between a custodial pupil control ideology approach to course selection and academic achievement, indicated a statistically significant but weak negative correlation, as noted by their performance on mathematical assessments, [rho] = -0.048, p < 0.01; [rho] = -0.027, p < 0.01. Interestingly, the results indicate a weak negative correlation between student GPA and a custodial pupil control ideology in course selection for 9th graders, [rho] = -0.026, p < 0.01, but a weak positive correlation between student GPA and pupil control ideology in course selection for 10th-12th graders, [rho] = 0.041, p < 0.01. This study demonstrates a slightly stronger association between student academic achievement and the humanistic pupil control ideology in the course selection. As such, further exploration of control, as well as other elements of student-centered education should be examined separately to establish better parameters of the schooling philosophy. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]