3. Kształcenie pozaszkolne
Ćwiczenie 3.
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In the ongoing debate about the purpose of out-of-school programs, the voices of parents and kids have frequently been absent. This survey commissioned by The Wallace Foundation of 609 middle and high-school students and 1,003 parents offers a revealing portrait of what both are seeking. Among young people, nine out of ten say they are 'better off in organized activities but 'need a push' to get involved. Some parents are looking primarily for academic help for their kids while others seek enrichment; many want activities that teach the value of hard work and commitment. Low-income families are more likely to want academic help for their kids, and are far more likely to be dissatisfied with what is available, especially in summer.
What does your child want? The higher your child's interest level, the more he or she will participate. Here's what kids say they want:
• Students in Rhode Island said that what matters most to them is the fun they expect to have, whether their friends will attend and whether they will be able to make new friends.
• These students also wanted structured activities that reflect their genuine interests and not what adults think is appropriate. They wanted the flexibility to choose the activity they participate in each day, and they showed a preference for younger, enthusiastic leaders.
• Another study of middle school students who don't participate in a program said they might if they could choose what they did there and if more of their friends went there. They want it to be less like school, but would like to get their homework done there.
• Nine out of 10 kids in one survey admitted that, even though they might complain about it, they sometimes needed a push from a parent to get involved.
Finally, it's worth the time it will take to learn what programs are available and evaluate the ones that look interesting, because the benefits can be significant. Here's what your child might gain from a good program:
• A strengthened sense of responsibility (some studies found that good programs enabled kids to handle anger better and delay the age when students started drinking alcohol);
• Greater enjoyment of school, resulting in better attendance;
• More self-confidence;
• Having more friends and getting along better with peers;
• Experience with tasks that teach responsibility for results and teamwork, such as theatre productions or sports.
PYTANIE:
To what extent do you share the views expressed in the survey? Do you attend any extracurricular activities? Does attending special classes and courses outside school help you with school work? How can such courses boost self-confidence and improve social skills? Present and justify your opinion.
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