Argues for the continuation of competitive drama programs on the grounds that competition increases quality, and success fosters enthusiasm and support from students and community alike. (JMF)

The author discusses the advantages of student self-government and describes the work of student committees at Belper High School, Derbyshire, in setting up a student coffee shop, planning school sports, and orienting new students. (SJL)

An English teacher tells what out-of-school activities should include, what results are to be obtained from them, and, in general, what place they should occupy in the English school system. (IFS/WGA)

Presents viewpoints on the educational value of music competition for young children. Includes arguments for and against contests. Considerations include purpose of the competition, and experience and preparation of the students, as well as structure and environment of the competition. (LS)

States that, because of budgeting problems, more high schools are having to run their yearbook publication as an extracurricular club and not as a class. Suggests approaches to dealing with this problem, including preplanning for running the yearbook as an extracurricular activity and being a vocal advocate for maintaining yearbook publication as…

One of the most important educational objectives of high school is to teach critical-thinking skills, and no class does this better than strategic debate. Professor Mike Allen, lead author in a definitive study on debate and critical thinking, lauded debate's promotion of critical-thinking skills. Additionally, researcher Joe Bellon discusses the…

This paper argues that, for both practical and philosophical reasons, high school activities ought to be managed by participatory principles. It further argues that the responsibility for bringing this about belongs to principals and activities directors through appropriate modeling and in-service education. In addition, obstacles to the…

Eligibility standards for participating in extracurricular activities are definitely needed. The question is whether minimal or more restrictive standards are most effective to meet academic requirements. This article presents arguments for both minimal and higher standards and suggests that chosen standards should be a positive motivating force.…

The priorities regarding extracurricular activities are seriously distorted. For example, yearbooks, like sports, are becoming too expensive, time consuming, and mere public relations tools. Education and student enjoyment should be the first priorities for extracurricular activities. (SK)

A discussion of the non-Greek, nongoverning college student organizations, which are the majority on most campuses, looks at the various types of groups, their membership, functions, and characteristics, provision of support services for them, and their role in academic and campus life. (MSE)

The most emotionally absent students often come alive after school. Any extracurricular activity (even football) seems better than high school. In football, teenagers are important contributors, are encouraged to excel, and become team players; repetition is honorable; the unexpected happens; practices run longer than 50 minutes; emotions and…

Urges the inclusion of the speech to stimulate--"epideictic oratory"--as a standard contest category in tournaments. (PD)

Transcript, editorial analysis, and critiques of the National Debate Tournament final debate between teams from Harvard University and Northwestern University are presented. (JMF)

Discusses the challenges of sponsoring extracurricular drama activities from the planning of a theatre season to the supervision of acting. Suggests changes to make the job more manageable. Makes a case for why dramatic productions are especially effective vehicles of education. (TB)

Interviews Bill Kibler, former Bonfire Advisor at Texas A and M, about the bonfire's special place in the college's culture. Describes how the community is coping after the accident, and what has been the response to the recent independent report on the accident, which cited numerous physical and organizational failures as a cause of the disaster.…