Career and English classes are changing next year 

Changes are coming to English and Career classes next year, with new structures for freshmen, and new class choices for upperclassmen.

The new career classes include Personal Finance Education and College and Career Preparation. Both of these classes are required for the class of 2027 and below, both being each a semester long. These classes will satisfy Senate Bill 3 requirements and can only be taken junior year in any specific order.

The first class, “Personal Finance Education” will work towards high school P.E. standards and will teach better finance. The second class, College and Career Preparation, will clear high school higher education and career path skills standards..

These classes were required to “fulfill the requirements of Oregon's senate bill, 3 which must be placed in time for class of 2027,” vice principal Valoree Hill said. “The bottom line is that these classes are designed to better prepare for life beyond high school.We previously have offered iterations of this coursework in our advanced CTE courses and in Career & Financial Planning, but these new courses in conjunction with these new standards will help all students to leave DDHS better prepared for what comes next.” 

Also starting next year there will be no advanced English 1 classes. Eight English teachers will start teaching English 1 next year, and the freshmen will be in “houses” in which they’ll share the same teachers, who will all work together on curriculum. 

Sophomores can take AP Seminar for English, juniors can take AP Language and Composition and seniors can take AP literature and Composition or College English.  

“We want to allow students more AP opportunities in our department, and ideally we want students to be better prepared for these classes when they get there.” said English department chair Chris Mathews.