The Editor’s Note: The ambiguity of extra

Most people understand that extracurricular activities operate under different rules than students’ regular classes. What’s less clear is why certain activities are considered extracurricular. One argument is that the regular curriculum is for the more important content, while extracurricular programs are less important. But Rafael Heller suggests that the question of importance is not so clear. If extracurricular activities help students with social-emotional skills, creativity, teamwork, and other essential educational goals, perhaps they are not so extra after all.