by Brenda Obert

Created on: May 12, 2008

The whole mandatory versus freedom of choice debate is complex. It would be great if it were a simple matter of students having the maturity to make choices and schools allowing them to do it. However, many students don't have the maturity, and most schools must comply with ever increasing state mandated graduation requirements. These are only a couple of the reasons that course scheduling leans more to mandatory than freedom of choice. The size of the school and whether it is a public or private school must be considered, as well as the availability of money to support electives. Another consideration in the mandatory versus freedom to choose argument is the purpose of a school.

Because of the "No Child Left Behind" legislation, many states are increasing graduation requirements. Several states are looking at a new 4x4 requirement. This means students are required four years of English, four years of social studies, four years of science, and four years of math. State requirements for additional credits in foreign language, computer literacy, the arts, physical education, speech, etc. are also mandated. This leaves little room for freedom of choice. Most states as well as the federal government are concerned that the U.S. is falling behind other countries in graduating future scientists and mathematicians. The new requirements place stress on school systems and students to take college prep courses. Many schools are moving to an 8 period day so that students can have plenty of opportunity to pass the required courses and still have some freedom to choose courses they want to take.

"Show me the money!" If a student goes to high school in a wealthy district, there will be plenty of money to hire teachers for "optional" classes that can be including in the class offerings at the the time of scheduling. These would be business courses, shop classes, higher level math and science classes, additional classes is creative writing, or world cultures and religions. The key to such a variety of offerings is money. Poorer districts can barely pay faculty a living wage and offer the basics much less the smorgasbord of classes that richer districts can offer. Many school districts are facing budget cuts at a time when more money than ever is needed just to keep up with the new state requirements. These kinds of cuts mean not replacing retiring faculty and increasing class size just to make ends meet.

Size matters! Large schools have more facilities, more students, more faculty.

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