That seems to be why so many countries send teams of educators to the U.S. to study our education system: they want to know how to produce the next Bill Gates or Sergey Brin, the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.
But here's where most such visitors err: they tend to look inside our classrooms.
They might be wiser to look at what's happening outside of them, for it might be our extra-curricular activities that represent the true genius of today's American education system, at least when it comes to fostering creativity, leadership, and the other "21st Century skills" that employers crave.
That's right: our athletic programs, student councils, debate clubs, school newspapers, orchestras, theater troupes, FFAs, and the rest of the panoply of after-school activities might be boosting America's economic output. While Asian kids are cramming at "exam cram schools" and European youngsters are smoking Gitanes in sidewalk cafés, our students are engaged in activities that give them the confidence to achieve in myriad ways--a taste of achievement they then carry into the world of work.
No, I can't prove it; our able research assistant searched and searched and couldn't find any studies examining this potential link. And not everybody buys it, not even among my Fordham colleagues. (See, for example, Checker Finn's piece below.) But the literature is full of evidence that students who participate in extra-curriculars tend to have stronger "social self-concept," more "cultural capital," loftier educational aspirations, diminished absenteeism, and greater college attendance.
This is no secret; it's why elite colleges want to see extra-curricular activities on applicants' resumes--fueling an extra-curricular arms race in some elite high schools. (The research also indicates diminishing returns once students overload on activities, so a good rule is "everything in moderation.")
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kermit08Some Extracurricular Activities May Be Part Of Our Problems In Education
We should not rest on our past accomplishments. We should not attribute our past successes to our involvement in extracurricular activities. In time smart people around the world will become as innovative as we have been in the past. We are giving away and selling our technologies to our competitors. Many of them are better learners than our students.
In today’s world most significant scientific and technological innovations are made by smart people interacting with other smart people in environments conducive to creative problem solving. Basic intelligence and a nurturing environment are more important in producing innovative people than involvement in most extracurricular activities. I know these things because I have taught and worked with smart people most of my life. I have known people who have wasted their time by being overly involved in extracurricular activities.
There are no national curriculum standards for extracurricular activities beyond those for general physical fitness. For this reason some extracurricular activities should be deemphasized and others encouraged. Involvement in most extracurricular activities is of little value in producing more creative citizens and innovative entrepreneurs. Most extracurricular activities are a waste of time for the majority of students. Most extracurricular activities are a waste of taxpayer money. The only justification for many extracurricular activities is as entertainment for adults who want to keep outdated traditions and myths alive.
Extracurricular activities, which promote physical fitness and teach students physical skills, which can be used over their life times, are of great value. Extracurricular activities such as intramural sports, academic team competitions, musical competitions, and individual talent competitions are of greater value to most students than are completive athletics.
The emphasis should be on physical fitness for all rather than competitive athletics for the few. Physically fit students are usually better students and are more likely to become successful adults. Physically fit people learn and perform better in most life situations.
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