1. Interscholastic sports and fine arts activities promote citizenship and sportsmanship. They instill a sense of pride in community, teach lifelong lessons of teamwork and self-discipline and facilitate the physical and emotional development of our nation’s youth.
   
   
2. Student activities are an integral part of education and Michigan’s schools should promote the values inherent in high school athletics and other activities such as speech, music, drama, band and spirit squads.
   
   
3. Activities support the academic mission of schools. They are not a diversion but rather an extension of a good education program. Students who participate in activity programs tend to have higher grade-point averages, better attendance records, lower dropout rates and fewer discipline problems than students generally.
   
   
4. Co-curricular programs are designed to help coaches and advisers use teachable moments.
   
   
5. Activity programs are inherently educational. Activity programs provide valuable lessons for practical situations – teamwork, sportsmanship, winning and losing, and hard work. Through participation in activity programs, students learn self-discipline, build self-confidence and develop skills to handle competitive situations. These are qualities the public expects schools to produce in students so that they become responsible adults and productive citizens.
   
   
6. Activities foster success in later life. Participation in high school activities is often a predictor of later success – in college, a career and becoming a contributing member of society.

Approved by MASB Board of Directors April 18, 2002