What Happens After The Bell?

A study published in 2007 focused on “high poverty high schools,” where at least half the students were on free or reduced lunch, it showed that the students that did not participate in extracurricular activities graduated from high school 69 percent of the time while students who did participate in extracurricular activities graduated 82.7 percent of the time (“Extracurriculars Boost High School Graduation Rates”). Furthermore students who participate in sports or extracurricular activities compared to those who do not participate or who have not been involved in extracurricular activities show; higher grades and attainment, improved personal confidence and self esteem, greater connections with school, attachments and support from adults,

In the United States, 57 percent of high school students participate in at least one kind of extracurricular activity (Bureau UC). Through extracurricular activities, youth have opportunities to develop very important life skills. Through participating in an activity that requires time outside of the normal school hours, students can learn to manage their time more efficiently. They must also develop rigorous study habits to perform well in the classroom as well as in their chosen activity or activities. Through team oriented activities and clubs, students must learn to work with others and attain interpersonal skills, along with a solid work ethic. Such activities provide a different type of environment than the classroom provides, and help them to become comfortable in various situations. There are many proven benefits when teens participate in extracurricular activities; such benefits include improved physical well-being, higher self-esteem, academic excellence, important social skills, and preparation to succeed not only school, but other settings as well.

Before I discuss why extracurricular activities should be a high priority in school funding, it is vital to understand what is being done and what could be done to achieve these results. One major way to certify that these organizations

With a regular schedule for all these students, everyone is expected to simply do the work at home, and come back to school to turn it in and receive more and do the same process over and over. But when there are other activities a child can be involved in, it makes routines have a slight change. Especially if these certain “activities” are being a requirement and not just an option because there are always students who never try new activities and miss out on opportunities. Therefore, students should be offered extracurricular activities in their schools because it gains skills and builds pride to be successful academically in Anaheim. In the documentary, “Mad Hot Ballroom” the director, Marilyn Agrelo, states that “the kids that are

I conducted an interview with Dr. Martinez, the current principal of Early College High School explained that many of clubs that the school creates have become co-curricular activities or “classes” for two reasons: it easier to fund and to find a coordinator. Up until our interview, I was not aware of this process. However, I have witnessed this first hand as soccer was once an actual school sport, but it eventually became a class. Furthermore, Dr. Martinez noted that it is easier to get an extracurricular activity approved through either CCC or OCC than the school’s own district. Although the students do get to take part in an activity they have some interest in, it is rather considered a class rather than an extracurricular rather than an actual class. This becomes problematic because when students begin to apply for colleges, they are unable to consider as extracurricular because they are taking part in the extracurricular during the school schedule and not outside the classroom. Jeff Brenzel, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Yale University, explains in an interview posted by CollegeBoard, he explains that many colleges prefer students that are well rounded such that they are doing well in academics and involved in an organization. However, he explains that they prefer students that are involved in a organization that they are interested regardless of how popular or how bizarre the organization. This then

These activities include clubs, sports teams, and jobs. There are a few remedies to the problem however. One example is busses that have wifi so student athletes can work on homework while on their way to a sporting event (Hoffman). Another cure is that clubs and sports can meet before school (Hoffman). The challenges that are presented to the students who participate in after school activities have a great benefit. While participating in these activities, the students can learn how to manage their time. The idea of time management is a key life lesson that students can be taught by later start

Extracurricular activities are a demention of schooling that can be negatively influenced by year-round schooling. Most students are involved in extracurricular activities during the Summer, when they have more free time. Yet, thanks to the year-round calender, children do not have the opportunities to perform these extracurricular tasks. Students should be able to enjoy themselves just as much as they should be able to get an education. Also, teachers managing extracurricular activities observed similar difficulties adapting these actvities into the year-round schedule, just

I say we should not get rid of our extracurricular for the health of us kids. It is stupid to get rid of it. We love our extracurricular. It would be helpful to get kids active it keep us healthy. It also keeps us going. If I need to I will raise the money to help. It would be better if we keep our extracurricular.

In the United States, schools spend more than double the amount of tax dollars on high school athletes than schools do on students. Americans have taken delightful pride and joy in sporting events for decades in both primary and secondary schooling. Meanwhile, in recent years the U.S. has fallen behind drastically in academic rankings. Some argue that sports actually help engage students in school, notwithstanding the statistics show otherwise. Schools spend too much time and money on sports, resulting in poor academic scores

Acquiring good grades is a laborious task, and students need as much time, advice, and help as they can get to ingest what they learn over the day. An article written by Amanda Ripley showed that in the Spring of 2012, Premont High School found themselves in a tight situation of being shut down, due to a plethora of academic failures (10). The article goes on to say that after sports were eliminated, 80 percent of students passed their classes, which was a 50 percent increase from the previous year (Ripley 11). This shows that school activities are taking away precious time from students studies and important learning, and should be erased from district systems. This is fantastic news for those who also agree these time wasting activities are stealing review time, almost like stealing water from fish.

If you asked my teachers about extracurriculars, they would say they take students’ time away from homework. If you asked me, I would say they keep students’ motivated in school and spark their interest. Almost anywhere you go, kids involved in sports are referred to as “student athletes.” Being a student should always come first, but athletics holds importance too. For many of us, sports are our whole lives. For me that is definitely true right now. Athletics have played a huge role in helping me develop through my adolescent life, but I am not sure they need to continue to play as large of a role going into my future.

According to a study at Premont Independent School District in Premont, Texas, 80% of students passed their classes in contrast to 50% the previous school year after the removal of sports. (Ripley, 11). In addition, according to Ripley, “about 160 people attended parent-teacher night, compared with six the year before” (11). This data proves that more freetime will benefit students; they will complete homework on time and be able to study more. Therefore, schools that want their students to have more time to successfully complete homework given to them should take away after school

After school, from 3 to 6 p.m, is a critical period of time in a child’s life. After school programs help keep kids safe and inspire them to learn during that period of time. After school programs are organized programs that youth can participate in outside of a traditional school day. Enrolling children in afterschool programs would provide them with benefits that unenrolled children would not receive, such as reduce risky behavior and promote physical health. After school programs provide a safe environment for children, while positively impacting their academics, safety, and their future.

The recent Great Recession has caused many lower and middle income families to have problems with their children graduating and having academic achievement. More funding is going towards academic achievement in lower income schools rather than dividing it up among extracurricular activities like clubs, art programs, and all athletic programs. With more and more pressure going towards test scores and graduation rates, athletic funding is dwindling at rates higher than ever seen before as the funding is going towards improvement in the classroom (“Elliot”). Extracurriculars are beneficial to the student as they keep them out of trouble and students are able to form new friendships while demonstrating their passion or ability (“Smith”).

It is important for adolescents to participate in extracurricular activities. Student who participate in these activities improve their academic scores and social life. Extracurricular activities can also help reduce many peer pressure related problems. “They enrich the lives of the students, their families and our communities. These activities create well rounded children who learn what their interests and talents are because they have been exposed to such opportunities” (Extracurricular Activities, Blogadmin). For most adolescents extracurricular activities should be required among what they do outside of school.