I don’t think I can stand to learn about alliteration one more time. After each repetitive lesson I’m left wondering why students are forced to learn certain things in school. This thought usually brings up another question: why aren’t we forced to learn certain things in school? What are we missing out on?
In all American high schools, students must study certain subjects in order to graduate. Here at Monte Vista, some of the requirements include one semester of health, three and a half years of history classes, one year of a life science class and one year of physical science class (most commonly fulfilled by taking biology and chemistry), and four full years of English classes.
Many might argue that because science classes don’t support all career paths, they shouldn’t be mandatory for high school students to take. Others disagree. Mrs. Mieras, current biology teacher and previous chemistry teacher at Monte Vista, hopes that, at the bare minimum, students are able to leave these classes with stronger critical thinking skills.
“Not everybody is going to become a biologist or a chemist, I get that. But, [students should] have a foundation of the skills that they’re learning [in biology and chemistry]–like analyzing data, using mathematical models, and looking at a graph to make a prediction or to look at a pattern,” Mrs. Mieras said. “All of those things are important to and are applicable to any subject, and to being a good community member–somebody that cares about their community and their planet and wants to keep things sustainable.”
Something people can’t disagree with, however, is that English has by far the strictest guidelines for graduating high school and for getting accepted into colleges. Four years is the requirement–no questions asked. Well, maybe one question is asked: why? Ms. Giovanola, an AP Language and Composition teacher here at Monte Vista, said that she “admittedly [has] a bias” about the importance of requiring four years of English classes.
“[The skills learned in English classes] can be applied to the study of all subjects, as well as the relationships we have with people in our lives,” Ms. Giovanola said. “As the students at Monte Vista develop their interests and identities, English classes help them to prepare for the academic studies they will face and develop [them] into the people they want to be.”
Beyond that, Ms. Giovanola wishes that taking more than one year of an arts class was required for all Monte Vista students, since one year of an art class is all that is required to get accepted into a UC. She expanded upon this idea by commenting that the arts are extremely important in promoting self-expression, and that they allow students to take time out of their days to engage in an activity simply because it’s enjoyable.
“I believe being exposed to performing arts in general can be beneficial, as they can be a source of inspiration and entertainment for many. I think the arts challenge performers and viewers alike to think more creatively, about the performances and your own life,” said Monte Vista senior and choir student, Hayes Lao.
I can absolutely attest to the importance of both physical and performing art classes being crucial in fostering creative thinking in students and allowing their self-expression to flourish, and because of this, I am inclined to argue that art classes, whether they be visual or performing arts, should be mandatory for high school students to some degree.
Yet, when it comes to the sciences, I can’t help but have a different opinion. I feel that, despite the valuable critical thinking skills we might develop in physical science classes, the ability to use mathematical models and to look at a graph in order to make a prediction or observe patterns is entirely futile to a student that hopes to pursue a career as, for example, a fantasy author. But, that’s not to say that it isn’t important to learn about the world around us, In fact, I think that’s one of the most important things students could ever be taught, and because of this, I believe that perhaps one year of a life science class should remain mandatory while the choice to take a physical science class is left up to the individual student.
Though possibly controversial, I strongly endorse students’ participation in four years of required English classes here at Monte Vista. English is easily one of the most beneficial classes a student can take. Whether it helps them develop their vocabulary, strengthen their communication skills, or teach them the importance of being an independent thinker, there is something every student is able to take away from high school English and apply to their life after graduation, despite differing career choices. However, that’s not to say that Monte Vista’s English courses must go on without change, because, seriously, I think I would need a minimum of four hands just to count the number of times I’ve had to relearn the difference between a simile and a metaphor.
I simply don’t believe the school system has met its full potential yet. In addition to the thoughts discussed above, I’ve often hoped for a more extensive health course to expand students’ knowledge of life-saving procedures as well as a mandatory course teaching students how to do their taxes. The current curriculum is failing to fully prepare students for the real world, though it has the potential to.
