If you had the control over the classes you take in high school would you be more engaged in learning? Students today aren’t engaged and have little to no motivation for school and it’s because of them being forced to take classes that don't interest them at all. Out of 25 students interviewed at Curie High school, 73% agreed that high school students should be able to have full control over the classes they choose to enroll in. Although core classes are what everyone is used to, nevertheless, students must have the choice to pick classes that only they are interested in because that would engage them more in school and produce more motivation.

First, giving kids that student choice option would engage them more in learning and give more motivation. “To create assessments that encourage students to think critically and not cheat, virtual assessments should require that students create a product of learning that is unique and individual to the student.”(Lauren Gehr) This illustrates that giving the students a choice to take assessments that really make them try is a way that can produce a better way of learning for the students. Lauren Gehr also writes, “When I assess students, I assess them on what they’ve learned, not on their ability to submit their work by a deadline. Students are free to submit their products of learning when they’ve truly mastered the content.” (Lauren Gehr) Therefore, giving students more breathing room and more choices would increase the mastery of skill and make the environment a better learning place where students wouldn’t feel like they don’t belong.

Additionally, there are many different benefits of a highschool education that would engage more students in learning and how it would help them in the long run. “When I assess students, I assess them on what they’ve learned, not on their ability to submit their work by a deadline. Students are free to submit their products of learning when they’ve truly mastered the content. If students are going to exceed the deadline of the assessment, I encourage them to let me know the status of their progress.”(Tom & Mary Norton) This describes how highschool can benefit a student and how giving them more student choice can make learning better for them. Tom & Mary Norton also writes, “One of the most motivating reasons for taking vocational school courses during high school is shortening a student’s freshman year at college.Since traditional college years, quarters and semesters are typically based on credits earned, and a student can significantly shorten their freshman year by accumulating enough college credits during their junior and senior years of high school.” (Tom & Mary Norton) This connects to the idea stating that giving students choice in highschool would benefit the students' learning experience.

Lastly, engaging students in learning would create a better and more smoother learning experience for students. “Innovative schools offer innovative programs, not cookie-cutter coursework. Students explore and create. They learn to code, print 3-D models, and dance. Personalized attention spurs a love of learning. A big trend is that high schools are now offering internship and entrepreneurship programs to give older students a sample of potential careers.” (Jane Addler) This justifies that in order to get students engaged in learning highschools must use the various benefits that they have to offer. Jane Addler also writes, “Besides his academic progress, Scully says her son is engaged as a learner and a leader in the classroom. Many students with learning disabilities struggle with low self-esteem. "He has that confidence back," she says. Hyde Park's Executive Director Casey Crnich adds: "We teach students how to self-advocate.” (Jane Addler) This further constructs the idea that engaging students in learning can help them in the long run and make high school smoother for them.

Knowing this, would you now be more interested and engaged in learning if you had the choice in picking your classes? Like the 73% of students at curie that agreed and supported this so should future educators. Changing the way school works( giving them a choice) in the future would make more students want to complete school and would increase engagement in learning.

Works Cited

Addler,Jane. “Innovative Programs, and Schools Engage Students” September 17, 2021.https://www.chicagobusiness.com/crains-content-studio/innovative-programs-and-schools-engage-students

Norton, Tom & Mary. “Top 6 Benefits of Vocational and Technical Education for High School” 2020 11-02. https://tvetjournal.com/tvet-institutions/tvet-high-school-benefits/#:~:text=%20Top%206%20Benefits%20of%20Vocational%20and%20Technical,to%20College%20Life.%20Since%20the%20typical...%20More%20

Gehr, Lauren. “How Using Digital Assessments Can Benefit Students.” March 11, 2021. https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-using-authentic-digital-assessments-can-benefit-students#:~:text=Offering%20choice%20also%20makes%20students%20more%20confident%20in,literature%2C%20focusing%20on%20theme%2C%20imagery%2C%20symbolism%2C%20and%20setting.