Extracurricular Activities

AA studio shot of a Mario Kart diecast vehicle from the video and animated Nintendo series.
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Student Well-Being How Video Games Can Combat Chronic Absenteeism (Yes, Really)
In one district, middle school esports clubs are helping to boost attendance and student engagement.
Alyson Klein, July 2, 2024
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5 min read
Connor Allen, of Cranberry, Pa. picks his character before a round of "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" during the Steel City Showdown esports tournament at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, on May 11, 2019 in Pittsburgh.
Students get ready before an esports tournament at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, on May 11, 2019 in Pittsburgh.
Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP
School Climate & Safety Gaming Is Part of Teen Life. These Districts Use It for Better Student Outcomes
Scholastic esports is attracting students who would otherwise not participate in extracurricular activities.
Lauraine Langreo, June 7, 2024
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4 min read
Shrey Parikh, 12, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., reacts to a fellow competitor's word during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., on May 30, 2024.
Shrey Parikh, 12, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., reacts to a fellow competitor's word during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md., on May 30, 2024.
Nathan Howard/AP
Reading & Literacy Photos Drama and Delight: The Faces of the National Spelling Bee
The 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee came down to a high-stakes spell-off. Here's a look at the faces behind the event.
Jaclyn Borowski, May 31, 2024
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1 min read
Students leave Birney Elementary School at the start of their walking bus route on April 9, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash.
Students leave Birney Elementary School at the start of their walking bus route on April 9, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. The district started the walking school bus in response to survey feedback from families that students didn't have a safe way to get to school.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
School Climate & Safety 4 Case Studies: Schools Use Connections to Give Every Student a Reason to Attend
Schools turn to the principles of connectedness to guide their work on attendance and engagement.
Matthew Stone, April 14, 2024
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12 min read
High school student Leo Burchell speaks at the Central Bucks School Board meeting about LGBTQ student rights in Doylestown, Pa., on Nov. 15, 2022. After hearing a man tell the school board that transgender people posed a risk of violence in bathrooms, Leo expected another adult in the room to interrupt what felt like hate speech. No one did. So at the next board meeting, Leo spoke up. “Attacking students based on who they are or who they love is wrong,” he said. Leo has spoken regularly at meetings since.
High school student Leo Burchell speaks at the Central Bucks School Board meeting about LGBTQ student rights in Doylestown, Pa., on Nov. 15, 2022. A student-led effort to create a "safe space" for students at a Lynchburg, Va., school was recently rejected by the school board.
Ryan Collerd/AP
Student Well-Being A High School LGBTQ+ Student Group Won a Grant. Then the School Board Vetoed It
Advocates said the board's vote was a setback for "student voice" efforts—as well as for LGBQT+ students.
Elizabeth Heubeck, December 15, 2023
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6 min read
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Student Well-Being In Their Own Words LGBTQ+ Student Perspective: ‘My School’s GSA Saved My Life’
Esmée Silverman came to the realization that they were transgender in high school, but thought about suicide constantly during their freshman year.
Lauraine Langreo, October 16, 2023
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3 min read
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E+ / Getty
Equity & Diversity Race-Based Affinity Groups Should Be Open to All Students, Biden Admin. Tells Schools
In new guidance, the Education Department cites examples of school policies or programs that violate civil rights law.
Libby Stanford, August 29, 2023
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5 min read
Scripps National Spelling Bee 2023 Champion Dev Shah celebrates on stage in flying confetti
Photo provided by Scripps National Spelling Bee
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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Reading & Literacy Sponsor Celebrate the Spelling Bee Champion at Your School!
For nearly 100 years, the Scripps National Spelling Bee has been an academic staple of our culture.
Content provided by Scripps National Spelling Bee
A sticker with an LGBTQ Pride flag is viewed outside of a classroom door at a high school on Aug. 8, 2023, in Orlando, Fla.
A sticker with an LGBTQ Pride flag is displayed on a classroom door at an Orlando, Fla., high school. LGBTQ+ students who had access to protective factors like Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), gender-neutral restrooms, and representation in curriculum and sex education reported lower suicide risk, according to The Trevor Project.
Phelan M. Ebenhack via AP
Student Well-Being LGBTQ+ Students With Affirming Schools Report Lower Suicide Risk, Survey Finds
Access to inclusive history, gender-neutral restrooms, and supportive clubs reduces LGBTQ+ students' suicide risk, says a report by The Trevor Project.
Eesha Pendharkar, August 24, 2023
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4 min read
Students from MC2 STEM High School in Cleveland critique their classmates’ projects for an event that blends STEM and art on March 16, 2017.
Students critique their classmates’ projects for an event that blends STEM and art in Cleveland on March 16, 2017.
Allison Shelley for All4Ed
Science Q&A How High School Students Are Making STEM Education Accessible for Younger Kids
Team STEAM is a program where high school students help elementary students develop STEM skills.
Lauraine Langreo, July 25, 2023
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3 min read
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Students help repair laptops and work in the school library as part of the "Genius Bar," an IT help desk modeled on an Apple computer concept that is used at Anne M. Dorner Middle School near New York City.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Blye
Classroom Technology A Student-Staffed 'Genius Bar': Why It's Working for This Middle School
Starting a "Genius Bar" helped a suburban New York City school teach tech skills and support students' social-emotional needs.
Alyson Klein, July 5, 2023
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4 min read
Group of diverse people (aerial view) in a circle holding hands. Cooperation and teamwork. Community of friends, students, or volunteers committed to social issues for peace and the environment.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
School Climate & Safety Small Ways Leaders Can Build Schools Where Everyone Feels Like They Belong
Principals can take small steps to ensure students and staff feel like they belong.
Denisa R. Superville, June 26, 2023
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5 min read
Hands of a group of three people with rainbow flag bracelets.
Ladanifer/iStock/Getty
Equity & Diversity Federal Officials Reiterate Protections for LGBTQ+ Student Groups
A federal law protects LGBTQ+ student clubs like gender and sexuality alliances, the U.S. Department of Education stressed.
Evie Blad, June 22, 2023
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4 min read
Chess grandmaster Maurice Ashley speaks during an interview at Chess Forum in New York on April 12, 2016. The Brooklyn resident has been inducted to the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis.
Chess grandmaster Maurice Ashley speaks during an interview at Chess Forum in New York on April 12, 2016. Over the years, Ashley has taught chess to students in disadvantaged communities.
Mark Lennihan/AP
Teaching Q&A A Chess Grandmaster Makes the Case for Teaching the Game in School
Chess grandmaster Maurice Ashley breaks down the game of chess and why it's worth teaching to kids.
Elizabeth Heubeck, April 28, 2023
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5 min read
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