Engagement in extracurricular activities increases students’ behavioral and cognitive skills yet despite their ability to help improve academic performance, students from low-income communities are at least 10 percent less likely to participate. Addressing this disparity is vital to maximizing educational outcomes.
The U.S. education system’s prioritization of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has fueled the neglect of civics education, the role of which is vital to the creation of a well-informed, active citizenry. Given the importance of civics to national development, there is a need for policy that ensures that all graduating seniors in American high schools have a demonstrated mastery of how their government works.
By using Common Core as a timely example, Fiduccia points out that taking perspectives dissimilar to your own presents an opportunity to gain valuable insight.