Change Jar: New graduation plans

Change+Jar%3A+New+graduation+plans

Ridah Syed, Staff Writer

[vc_row type=”in_container” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Now that the district has finalized the new graduation plans for incoming freshmen, current upperclassmen are the last students to graduate under the old plans.

We asked for your two cents: Do you think the new graduation plans are a change in the right direction?[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″ animation=”none” boxed=”true” centered_text=”true” column_padding=”no-extra-padding” background_color_opacity=”1″][image_with_animation image_url=”3416″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ animation=”none” boxed=”true” centered_text=”true” column_padding=”no-extra-padding” background_color_opacity=”1″][vc_column_text]

It’s almost like babying them [freshmen], because they’re taking away the needed classes, like speech. It is honestly a really important class, and it helps so much. Even if it’s not the most exciting class.

– Melany Bermudez, 12[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left”][vc_column width=”1/2″ animation=”none” boxed=”true” centered_text=”true” column_padding=”no-extra-padding” background_color_opacity=”1″][image_with_animation image_url=”3417″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ animation=”none” boxed=”true” centered_text=”true” column_padding=”no-extra-padding” background_color_opacity=”1″][vc_column_text]

It does concern me, because I still don’t feel like our students’ writing skills and reading skills are necessarily strong enough to completely take away another English requirement. The AP classes might suffer because of it, especially because there is now an online option. Students might decide to take an AP class online, which I’m not sure would entirely prepare them for sitting in a college course.

– Wendi Mueller, AP English IV teacher

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I’m against it. Mainly because [the district] believes that giving students the right to choose their education is a good way for them to grow personally and become ready for college, but at this stage in high school we really don’t have enough information about what colleges look for. People might think those courses are great, because they’re sugarcoated to look really nice but in reality it’s not. We should just stick with the basic four by four plan.

– Young Jang, 11

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Selfishly, I think kids will look at a freshman class as easier and choose world geography between the two, but I really have mixed feelings. I love the flexibility, but I’m afraid that kids are going to make a choice based on a perception of difficulty rather than understanding what is better for them as students.

– Shawn Hudson, Pre-AP World Geography teacher[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″ animation=”none” boxed=”true” centered_text=”true” column_padding=”no-extra-padding” background_color_opacity=”1″][image_with_animation image_url=”3451″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ animation=”none” boxed=”true” centered_text=”true” column_padding=”no-extra-padding” background_color_opacity=”1″][vc_column_text]

I feel like they’re just making it more confusing. I don’t understand why they’re taking out the requirements, like with speech and Algebra II…and they didn’t explain why either. We’re all used to taking four years of each subject. Regardless, my plan is still to take as many pre-AP and AP classes to prepare for college.

– Jewel Connor, 9[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]