Word is the New Berlin school board is considering a proposal that would make participation in at least one extra curricular activity mandatory in order to graduate.  Why?  School officials say students involved in extra curriculars have better test scores and lower truancy rates.

Personally, I don't like the idea for various reasons.  First, if a child isn't at all interested, why should they be forced to participate in something outside of the school day?  Secondly, many high school kids have after-school jobs or family obligations.  And finally, I'm not sold on the notion that if you get involved in extra curricular activities you'll improve your test scores and have a lower truancy rate.  Isn't it possible that those who have the desire to be involved in extra curricular activities simply have the tendency to be better students?  In other words, extra curriculars don't make for a better student - good students are simply more inclined to want to be involved in extra curricular activity.  I think that's a pretty good theory.

More meetings on the proposal are being planned.