For some students, getting extra credit work teaches them the importance of self-determination regarding classwork. For example, if a high school student in an English class wants to improve her chances of entering college and majoring in English but the teacher doesn't offer enough essays or research assignments, she can offer to write a long research paper or essays in addition to the multiple choice exams for credit.
For other students, completing extra credit work also improves their specific academic skills that will prepare them for the workforce. If a social studies student decides to write extra book reports for academic credit in addition to the ones that are assigned to him, the student increases his critical thinking and analytical writing skills in reading non-fiction books. Or if a health education student does two final projects instead of one for credit, he learns to multitask and be organized.
Extra credit work also helps students pass courses. For example, when a student is failing a geometry class, the teacher may give her a few workbooks to complete over the next three weeks along with a study guide so the student can do better on exams. If a student lacks confidence in her grades in a culinary arts class, the teacher may bring her to the school cafeteria and have the student practice certain techniques she struggles with.