Design your own High School Standards

[downtown]

Okay smartypants, now is your chance to set up your own high school standards. Read the OP before you vote or post, so you don't look stupid later.

So we don't just have people checking for MOAR EVERYTHING, lets work in the following scenario. While every US state has different requirements for graduation, this one is similar to most of them...likely being on the *tougher* end of the spectrum. Remember, these are the BARE BONES REQUIREMENTS, not just people on the college prep track.

Let us also assume that students are not on block scheduling. Each class pd is roughly 45 min, with a 15 min break in the morning, and a lunch. Lets say that a student has 8 slots in which to fill with classes, one of which will be filled by a lunch. Let us say that a class worth 1 unit is a full year's worth of instruction, and that one worth .5 credits is for a semesters worth. Follow me so far?

Okay. Here is the template for basic requirements
English-4 units
Math-3 units (Must pass algebra II)
Science-3 units (at least 1 life science, 1 physical)
Social Studies-3 units (one national history, one world history, one national civics/government)
Gym/Health -1.5 credits
foreign language -2 credits (must be in sequence)
Arts- 1 credit

Total Credits Required 21 (so 2.5 electives)

So, sometimes on the forums, people suggest that X should be mandated in high school, or whatever. So...you have 2.5 units to play with, unless you take one out. What would you add (or subtract?).

Poll coming with some common ideas, but feel free to add your own
L

 

[lutzj]

Schools should encourage moral behavior and prepare students for college. Keeping students away from substance abuse, gangs, crime, etc. is also important. Finally (this is especially important in high school), schools need to teach kids how the world works, so that they can understand how important decisions are made and be responsible voters.

 

[downtown]

Schools should encourage moral behavior and prepare students for college.

Thats not what I asked. Read the OP and answer the question.

 

[Fifty]

education should educate our kids more, thats my view

English-4 units
Math-3 units (Must pass algebra II)
Science-3 units (at least 1 life science, 1 physical)
Social Studies-3 units (one national history, one world history, one national civics/government)
Gym/Health -1.5 credits
foreign language -2 credits (must be in sequence)
Arts- 1 credit

I'd drop Gym, health, and arts, but make participation in at least one extra-curricular activity (be it something athletic or an art or something) mandatory for graduation.

Add a unit of math and a unit of science. Make electives more intellectually worthwhile and less ********.

In general, I think it would be more worthwhile to reform the curriculum we have than add more. So take English for instance. The problem in my view isn't so much taht we don't take enough english, but rather that the english we do take is embarrasing: basically if you can put a sentence together at least half the times you try, you will pass english. It should not be that way for English or for other subjects.

 

[lutzj]

Thats not what I asked. Read the OP and answer the question.

Oh, you want me to add to the curriculum, not design one. I would devote 1 to social studies, especially world history and events in the modern world. Electives can have 1, and the other .5 could be used for free time (I want the kids to think of me as the "nice" policymaker).

 

[GenMarshall]

I would like to see Computer Proficiancy added in. As for Foreign Languages, there should be more choices other than French and Spanish.

Though I never had to take a foreign language since I was a...

...sped .

 

[Gilder]

I'd change around currciculum so problems are actually handled with properly instead of doing something totally useless to go around.

 

[downtown]

Oh, you want me to add to the curriculum, not design one. I would devote my 2.5 to social studies, especially world history and events in the modern world.

So you would mandate that students take 5 and a half social studies classes? Thats more than one a year...more than English, Math, or anything thats on any standardized test...plus, you take away space for any elective courses. I think thats a little excessive.

 

[lutzj]

I would like to see Computer Proficiancy added in. As for Foreign Languages, there should be more choices other than French and Spanish.

Though I never had to take a foreign language since I was a...

...sped .

My school district offers Latin, Italian, German, Mandarin Chinese, and even English in addition to the ones you mentioned above in high school (French, Spanish, German, Mandarin Chinese, and English are taught in middle school, and even the elementary schools offer English)

 

[skadistic]

I like you setup Downtown for the most part. Foreign language I think those should be elective and instead do another year of science and a home economics class that has some cooking, money management and other stuff like sewing. Also for electives I'd like to see each school offer auto, wood, metal shops, horticulture and a culinary arts. Gym should dived up to include at least half a year of dietary education. Maybe one quarter for two consecutive years. And squeeze hygiene in too.

 

[Masquerouge]

I don't understand how you come up with your 2.5 electives, but that's besides the point.

One solution would be to have students specialize in scientific, literary or economic studies. As such, the extra credits would go towards more of the appropriate classes.

 

[downtown]

I'd change around currciculum so problems are actually handled with properly instead of doing something totally useless to go around.

Wow! So you'd do things....better! Genius. Why didnt anybody else think of that?

 

[GenMarshall]

My school district offers Latin, Italian, German, Mandarin Chinese, and even English in addition to the ones you mentioned above in high school (French, Spanish, German, Mandarin Chinese, and English are taught in middle school, and even the elementary schools offer English)

English English (IE British English?) Since when I think of English, I think of Language Arts and English Literature.

Well, I'm making it up for it by learning Japanese on my own.

 

[lutzj]

So you would mandate that students take 5 and a half social studies classes? Thats more than one a year...more than English, Math, or anything thats on any standardized test...plus, you take away space for any elective courses. I think thats a little excessive.

I meant other subsubjects (I made a new word!) within social studies, such as military history, world history outside of the US and Europe, and more focus on current events. Post edited to allow for 1.5 electives.

 

[Fifty]

I don't understand how you come up with your 2.5 electives, but that's besides the point

There are 21 "units" of class time available over 4 yrs, with one unit = 1 year of 1 period per day of instruction. With the current system, once the requirements are over you still have 2.5 units left before you reach 21, thus allowing for 2.5 units of electives.

 

[Cannae]

English-4 units
Math-4 units
Science-4 units
Social Studies-4 units
Gym-4
foreign language-4
Arts- 2
Theology- 4

I have a feeling though that we may not be getting the bang for the buck, nowadays.

 

[jeps]

weird system. i like ontario's tbh.

2 semesters, 4 credits a semester for 3 years, 3 a semester for 1 year, 30 credits total, 12 electives. classes are approx. 80 mins or so.

4. eng
3. math
2. science.
1. gym
1. french (bilingual country, after all)
1. geography
1. history
1 arts
.5 civics
.5 careers
1 GROUP 1 - 5th english, 3rd language (NOT english or french), social science/humanities, canadian and world studies, guidance/career education, or Coop*
1 GROUP 2 - 2nd gym, 2nd arts, business studies, or Coop*
1 GROUP 3 - 3rd Science Credit, Technological Education, or Coop*

*coop can fill at most 2/3 groups

12 electives.

this is for everyone, not caring if you are Workplace, College, or University bound.

 

[nc-1701]

I'de do something along these lines...

Physical Education - 4
Math - 3
English - 2
Science - 1
Computer skills - 1
Social Studies - 3
Electives - 7
Or something similar along those lines.

 

[downtown]

I like you setup Downtown for the most part. Foreign language I think those should be elective and instead do another year of science and a home economics class that has some cooking, money management and other stuff like sewing. Also for electives I'd like to see each school offer auto, wood, metal shops, horticulture and a culinary arts. Gym should dived up to include at least half a year of dietary education. Maybe one quarter for two consecutive years. And squeeze hygiene in too.

I think Home-Ec is a requirement for middle school...and some high schools mandate it (just not states). I actually think its a pretty worthwhile class, and I wish it wasn't so much of a joke. If I had more curriculum flexibility, I would have taken it. I wish I knew more of that stuff when I moved out!

For Ohio, part of the gym/health requirement is class time on hygiene, nutrition, etc.

I don't understand how you come up with your 2.5 electives, but that's besides the point.

One solution would be to have students specialize in scientific, literary or economic studies. As such, the extra credits would go towards more of the appropriate classes.

You can get elective credit by going above and beyond the basics for one field, or by taking something else. For example, if you took science all 4 years, 3 years of a language, extra years of band, a class specializing in literature, etc . I think having some space for electives is really important, as it lets students explore possible interests in greater detail.

 

[downtown]

English-4 units
Math-4 units
Science-4 units
Social Studies-4 units
Gym-4
foreign language-4
Arts- 2
Theology- 4

I have a feeling though that we may not be getting the bang for the buck, nowadays.

So...no music, study hall or flexibility for anybody huh?