Every year here at Tallwood, students fill out their course request forms and pick whatever classes get them closer to graduation. Although the majority of students just want to graduate, the current system requires you to take multiple elective classes. This requirement has led many students to ask the same question: Do electives even matter? Some students see these classes as a way to find new interests, while others just see them as a big waste of time that takes away from their core classes. And of course, this debate isn’t unique to Tallwood; many people around the world have questioned the elective system, and some even claim that if electives weren’t a thing, graduation rates would improve greatly. Despite this debate, giving students the freedom to choose their own elective classes plays a key role in increasing student engagement, improving life skills, and helping students to find their passions.
One of the biggest arguments against electives is that they supposedly take time away from core classes, and when the majority of students here at Tallwood simply want to graduate, that concern feels pretty valid. But in reality, research has shown that electives can actually increase student engagement. For example, when a student enjoys a class, they become more focused and put more effort into their work. Seeing how much better they perform when excited about a subject reinforces good learning habits, and this behavior can even extend into their core classes. Additionally, a Winona State University study found that increasing elective requirements had a positive relationship with graduation rates. Overall, the idea that electives take away from core classes is a common misconception with little evidence.
Here at Tallwood, and any school for that matter, electives do more than just increase engagement; they help develop important life skills. Classes such as band and theater prepare students to work in a team environment, while courses such as engineering and art allow students to explore their creative and innovative abilities. It’s skills like these that stretch far beyond the classroom. Employers are constantly looking for people with a mastery of these skills, and it’s electives that focus on building them.
Figuring out what you’re passionate about is one of the biggest steps after high school. Electives grant students the ability to find their passions before leaving the shelter of teen life. For instance, if a student is thinking about pursuing a career in engineering, they can take an engineering elective to “dip their toes” before taking on any real commitment. Electives almost act as a “free trial,” enabling students to figure out exactly what they like and what they want to avoid.
In the end, by requiring electives, schools have become a place that’s not only more engaging, but a place where students have more opportunities to succeed. They are what make Tallwood an environment that I look forward to coming to each day, and they are a big factor in why I’ve enjoyed my years here.
