Over the past two weeks, students and teachers have been discussing the course options for the 2011-2012 school year. On Friday, March 11th, students and their parents will begin to sign up for their classes for next year. Course registration will occur through the iParent module for the second year in a row.
Students and their parents will have until March 21st to approve recommendations and add any electives they wish to take. After the any override procedures are finished, the Guidance Department and Administrators will begin to create next year’s schedule.
In addition to other academic and physical education requirements, the incoming freshman class will have one more graduation requirement: four fine arts credits.
“This is something that has been in the works for a few years now,” said Fine Arts Director Susan Memoli. When Memoli took over the position three years ago, the requirement was one of the initial changes she wanted to institute.
Memoli explained that since there will be more students in arts courses next year, they will offer some new courses. New courses include Classic Guitar, which, according to Memoli, “would be something that would cover kids who might be interested but don’t want to have a performance based course.”
“The reason behind having a fine arts graduation requirement is that most of our peer schools have one,” Memoli explained. “That also falls in line with most universities; when you go, having some exposure in those areas may not be required but is appreciated.”
Memoli thinks that this will be a good supplement to the Wayland Middle School Fine Arts program. “Their exposure is just so small and spread out, then it just stops when you get to high school.”
“I personally cannot imagine a student who enters high school and never steps foot in this building,” says Memoli. “There is a huge range of curriculum that would otherwise be completely untouched.”
Find out more about the other curriculum changes »
Skeptcial • Mar 20, 2011 at 11:38 PM
I don't think this requirement is fair for either people that appreciate the arts or for those that don't. Part of what makes the arts classes enjoyable is that the other students in the class share interest in the area. I wouldn't want electives to be ruined because of people that don't even want to be there.
It is even more unfair for the people that don't want to be there. There are so many classes offered at the high school, but only a limited number of spaces in a schedule. It would be a shame if people missed out on taking classes they were really interested in, for the sole purpose of not having enough room in their schedule.
Four credits may not seem like a lot, but it is. A class that meets four times in the eight day rotation, is three credits. Classes that meet for only a semester or three times a rotation are about two credits. So, in order for someone to complete this requirement by the end of freshman year, assuming that credit values remain the same, he/ she would have to take a full year class that meets six times a rotation. When there is a requirement like this, who has time to take yet another course, even one that they are interested in? I think that the idea of an elective requirement is great. But, this should extend to every elective. That way, people get involved in what they want to get involved in.
I love the arts. I take multiple musical electives every year. But, it is because I want to. The arts should not be mandatory; they should be there for those that enjoy them.
Basil • Mar 10, 2011 at 10:06 AM
This is a horrible, horrible idea. I soooo so so pity all incoming freshmen.
The arts are a luxury, not an educational necessity. Do you think our competitors in Shanghai are wasting time studying primary colors?
We were already required to study basic music and art in middle school (and acting even); we have a basic knowledge of these "fine" arts. There is absolutely no reason that 100% of Wayland students need to go further in depth.
And as Aaron points out in his opinion piece, this will only force kids into a class that many will dislike, or even hate. The friends I have that take fine arts electives right now absolutely love it. They will now be stuck with a bunch of unenthusiastic kids who don't.
Finally, while we're at it, why don't we add a business requirement? I'd bet hard money that five times as many Wayland grads go into business as go into arts. (note: I don't plan on entering either field). At least that requirement would be useful for a solid chunk of the student body.
There is absolutely no reason that the arts should be considered a necessity to graduate from high school. I utterly cannot even begin to wrap my mind around the thinking behind this decision.