Hi Sarah: Generally, I feel extra credit tends to inflate grades and focus on extra points more than learning. In one sense, if it's important and valuable to the learning process, than it should be included in the regular curriculum. There are exceptions. And every teacher has to decide where they set their grading and their class standard. I just want to avoid giving away points to slackers who have not done the required assignments, and then want to do something they like and receive points in substitution. Comining from a medical science profession, my perspective is there can be no room for error, so students must demonstrate all assigned work. Substitution is not a possibility because people could be harmed or in danger of unsafe practice. Perhaps not all classess need to as strict. Also, extra credit is is a very controversial subject with lots of differing opinions. Regards, Barry