Should students be allowed to choose their own courses?

[CupcakeLuv101]

I'm writing a persuasive essay on this topic and need some argumental ideas. Please feel free to debate and discuss your opinions below!

[Judean Zealot]

We're talking high school?

[Living For Love]

This already happens, at least here where I live.

[sqishy]

I believe that should be the case, yes..

[Zachary G]

I think students should be required to complete so many credits per year in order to pass and graduate therefore given the option to choose their own classes which equal so many credits per semester to add up to the total they need for graduating.

-- I dont know if this made any sense or not, sorry if its confusing.

[Atlantis]

We can choose some subjects (usually three or four) in the uk. In my opinion if you choose a subject and you like it, you're surely going to get a good grade at it. If let's say all subjects were compulsory I wouldn't do very well because I'm not good at it or don't like it.

[West Coast Sheriff]

Obviously you need core subjects: English, social science, math, foreign language and science. I think you should choose electives and maybe like what specific core classes (women's lit, British lit, modern lit) or (Chemistry,physics, anatomy geology) (ancient history, American hist). But you need core classes

[jayce_xt]

I would actually make the argument that Philosophy / Introduction to Modal Logic should be mandatory for high school students, even before things like Advanced English Grammar & Syntax, (Insert Description Here) Reading Course, Trigonometry, or Geometry. A solid foundation for thinking and reasoning sets the stage for everything else, and while I was really lucky to have someone in my life to make the importance thereof stand out to me, I notice most of my peers are fairly oblivious to the art of sound thinking.

But other than that, I would say I agree with you, OP: my experience has thus far been that forcing teens to learn things they don't want to learn results in wasted time on everyone's part, if they don't turn out to be remotely applicable to most people's real-world situations (I'm looking at you, Pre-Calc).

[SethfromMI]

I think the system, both in high school and college/university, already provides a lot of freedom. I think the bigger issue is having to take a number of classes which are not going to have any applicable value to the individual. I remember working on some math and asking the teacher when will I ever actually use this. they were honest and said most likely never. to me, that is the bigger fault in the system

[Cadanance00]

Yes. Isn't that what Montessori is all about?

[Leprous]

Here we can already choose what we want to study. Pretty much every class here is completely different. There's quite allot of freedom already.

[Jinglebottom]

Everything is shoved down my throat whether I like it or not. I'm sick of it.

[eric2001]

You can argue that we reach our human potential when we're motivated by studying the things we like most.

[everlong]

Aren't students already allowed to do that. Regardless, yes, students should be allowed to pick their own courses.

[dbfordateam]

I already get to choose my own courses, it lets em have a more interesting, successful and custom education. I'm taking AP economics, Post colonial literature, modern British literature, AP statistics, Natural History of NC, Environmental History, Technical Theatre, Weight Lifting, Post 1945 History, Global Relations. All these things im interesed in

[Porpoise101]

I remember working on some math and asking the teacher when will I ever actually use this. they were honest and said most likely never. to me, that is the bigger fault in the system
While I agree with you mostly, this point stuck out to me. Math as it's taught could use a more pragmatic approach to it, maybe with a focus on personal finance later on. But at the same time, that really abstract math that a lot of people hate is important. It keeps you mentally challenged and also teaches you how to think and solve problems analytically. Those are important skills I use almost everyday, especially when I have to do things as a long process.

[SethfromMI]

While I agree with you mostly, this point stuck out to me. Math as it's taught could use a more pragmatic approach to it, maybe with a focus on personal finance later on. But at the same time, that really abstract math that a lot of people hate is important. It keeps you mentally challenged and also teaches you how to think and solve problems analytically. Those are important skills I use almost everyday, especially when I have to do things as a long process.

ok but a similar case then could be made about almost every class, deeming every class to be important. I get what your saying. this was not a finance math class (that would be more beneficial to high school students then anything), but the abstract math. sure it makes you think, but it does not take a math class to have me read or do things which are mentally challenging or how to think (philosophy and those types of class do a much better job at). again, I get where you are coming from and it is not that I disagree, but I think high school could do a better job at teaching some things students are going to use more. like I said a finance class which teaches about mortgagees, stocks, etc. would be way more beneficial to any high school (and most college) students.

[kylem1229]

Where I live we can choose our classes to an extent. We can choose what math classes, english classes, science classes, etc. However we still have to meet the certain amount of credits. For example we need 4 english credits, 3 math, 3 gym, etc. So we have the flexibility on what actual classes we can take, but we have to meet the required credits.