Extra-curricular activities and participation in community—A high quality education program includes the opportunity for students to participate in extra-curricular activities in such areas as music and the arts, language and culture, and athletics. Schools should also offer students the chance to become involved in their community. In order to incorporate community engagement and involvement into the curriculum, a number of rural schools have developed a curriculum based on the history, culture, economy, and environment of students’ local communities. This approach, known as “Place-Based Education,” not only draws on the community for instruction, it also enables students to make contributions to the places in which they live.47 A place-based education program may cost slightly more to develop and implement. However, in light of its effectiveness in engaging students, state policies and funding should support it.