Most educators support the popular theory that cocurricular activities benefit participants in a number of ways, such as reducing drug and alcohol abuse and crime; raising grades; and improving students' prospects of attending college, finding jobs, and becoming responsible citizens. A multitude of studies shows that students who participate in cocurricular activities just do better. That idea has become even more significant because of recent, heated school board meetings during which cocurricular activities are considered for trimming or for using to increase school revenue. But some say that much of the research cited to support cocurriculars connects them to beneficial outcomes for students, but it doesn't quite prove a causal relationship, so researchers have tried to make that direct link.