When it comes to high school, the primary focus is education. However, extra-curricular activities are just as important. Without them, the high school experience would be less fulfilling.
Due to budgetary issues, local school boards have either been cutting or considering cutting extra-curricular activities. This would be a huge change, and would strongly affect schools including Mattoon High School where there are more than a dozen extra-curriculars offered.
Many believe that if funding were cut from extra-curriculars, the money could be geared more towards education. With more budget for learning, schools hope to improve their students' grades and test scores.
Because there is a debate on what is most important in school, finding a solution is difficult. Some educators may believe education should come before any other activity at school because learning core subjects like reading and math are vital to students' success.
On the contrary, supplemental programs have been proven to help students in many ways alongside being in the classroom.
For attendance, students who are associated with an extra-curricular are more likely to have a better attendance rate than a student who is not. A student who is involved in a sport, for example, may not be able to participate if he or she has a bad attendance record. Extra-curriculars are a reason why some students come to school on a daily basis.
Along with attendance, academic performance can also be improved with being involved in an extra-curricular. Students with failing grades cannot participate in activities such as band competitions and sporting events. Therefore, being involved in such activities can drive a student to do better in school.
Although improved attendance and academic performance are both strongly beneficial, the most important thing behind extra-curriculars is the passion that students carry with them. Whether a student is an athlete, an artist or a musician, there is always dedication that comes with being in an extra-curricular. This leads them to attain a strong work ethic because of their passion, which is something that can go beyond the walls of MHS. Students care strongly about what they are involved in because it's something they genuinely enjoy doing.
All in all, the issue of cutting extra curricular activities is not an easy one to solve. Education is fundamental, but having the privilege to join an activity that can be fun and teach virtues like determination at school is an advantageous one. If funding extra curriculars were just as important as funding education, schools would be well balanced, and could give each student as opportunity to succeed.