by David Marcus

Created on: March 24, 2007   Last Updated: May 02, 2007

By new courses, I assume that we're talking non-traditional. Classes designed to enrich a student's knowledge beyond the basics, the core curriculum that has been taught for years. These "new courses" are gold.

Known as electives in some schools, many of the new courses being designed by teachers and implemented in High Schools are (for example) valid substitutes for any standard English class. In my Junior year of High School I took a course called "Ancient and Medieval Literature". I didn't read the classics. I wasn't drilled on how to write a college essay. However, because it was a class I was choosing to take as opposed to being forced, I was much more engaged, and learned more. I think this is the crucial element to elective/"new" courses: choice. If a students is able to learn about what he or she is interested in, while still working within the framework of the larger scope of the subject, (English, science, etc.) they will be far more likely to stay in school, enjoy their experience, learn more effectively... the list goes on.

The same goes for teachers - chances are if they're teaching an elective, they've designed it. They will know the curriculum intimately and as a result be much more effective at teaching it. This ends up in happier teachers, happier students, happier families... it's a positive cycle, for sure.

So what's the issue here? It seems that new courses should be introduced as often as appropriate. I would agree wholeheartedly. The problem, however, is that in many school systems, budgets do not allow for anything beyond the bare bones of the traditional curriculum. In schools like the ones Amherst, Massachusetts, students have been privileged to have many electives, the opportunity to learn about what sparks their interest. Many different languages, such as Russian, German, Chinese, and Latin, are taught in addition to the traditional Spanish and French. The arts department is full of gifted teachers and students alike. Heartbreakingly, budget cuts are forcing many of these boons to student welfare to be removed from the picture.

The argument of the "other" side may be that electives are not necessary for a good education. Perhaps this is true - many people in generations past got by just fine on the old, dusty, "core" of education. However, I forcefully state that without options, electives, "new courses", or whatever you want to call them, a truly valuable and great education - one that children will be grateful for when they look back on it - is simply not possible.

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