Many classes such as AP European History, Newspaper, Journalism I and AP Psychology don’t offer more than elective credits. AP Euro, Newspaper, Journalism I and AP Psychology each cover a specific curriculum that focuses on a specific subject. Instead of counting certain courses as electives, the district should consider changing the course credentials to more required core class credits that cover the content taught in the class.
When students take AP European History, they learn about European states’ history, such as England, France, Spain and many others. It focuses on the specific region of Europe, going in-depth into how the continent developed as a whole. From the political, economic and intellectual developments, to the social and cultural developments being covered about each specific state, and how these aspects shaped Europe as a whole. Not to mention, the course offers college credit when passing the college board exam which makes it a more difficult class than others. Many students consider an AP course far more difficult than an on-level course because of the extra time required for various assignments. Some courses, like AP Euro, require work outside of class for the students enrolled which makes it more time-consuming. Because of the amount of work required outside of class and the rewards earned when completing the course successfully, the AP European History course should count toward a history credit instead of an elective credit.
Being a part of the newspaper class allows students to write stories for the school’s online newspaper. In the class, students constantly write new, informative stories. Similar to an English class, writing for a newspaper takes effort and organization when trying to convey a specific idea to an audience. It also helps strengthen students’ writing skills and lets them write about something they enjoy. When it comes to writing, about 34.5% of young people from ages 9 to 18 years, say they enjoy the process of writing. It also provides a way for students to express their own opinions and thoughts on a topic. Providing a class that allows students to write passionately about a subject that interests them gives them a motivating factor to continue growing and honing their writing skills. Students get the opportunity to socialize with their peers when writing stories through interviews. This helps them become better communicators. These communication skills can also aid students in their daily life. Overall, the newspaper acts as an important news source that is run by students. It should be counted as an English credit because of the amount of writing required and the opportunity that it provides for students.
Students taking Journalism I only get an elective credit for taking the course. The class goes over the basics of journalism, such as photography, how to write a news story, the process of how a yearbook gets created and how to use Photoshop. Journalism I teaches a little bit of every field and forms a way that fuels some students’ interest who want to continue learning about any specific topic, providing an opportunity for students who want future careers in journalism by exploring classes like newspaper, yearbook, photography, broadcast journalism and social media. Since Journalism I teaches students how to use a variety of skills that could be useful in conveying news or an idea, it should be considered for a fine arts credit.
The AP Psychology course offers an elective credit, yet it breaks down the science and details of human behavior and why people think the way they do. It requires the scientific study of the brain in people and allows students to explore the psychological and mental aspects of a person’s mind. Students research and use analytical practices to examine how a person behaves and thinks. Not only does the course allow students to study the minds of others, but it also benefits the students themselves by using the scientific data that they gather to learn and understand more about their own person. Students learn more about why they act a certain way around certain groups and what causes their behavior. Since the course requires students to engage in scientific studies, it should be considered a science credit. AP Psychology also allows students to get a basic understanding of how the field of psychology functions and a preview of what psychology will look like in college.
Opponents of changing credits believe students need a certain amount of elective credits, and that they should not change. AP European History and Newspaper all provide students with elective credits which helps them gather those credits when graduating. However, AP European History allows students to branch out and widen their knowledge of history of a different and more specific region that isn’t required to learn about. Newspaper encourages students to write and gives them the opportunity to gain a sense of the environment about a newspaper workplace. Journalism I allows students to discover any interests in the field of journalism which can be considered a form of expressive art. AP Psychology dives into the psychological aspects of people and helps students gain a better understanding of the world around them.
Even though these courses offer elective credits for the students taking them, they should change to offer credits that apply to the course content. The courses cover distinct content and should account for providing a specific credit for the coursework taught within the class. The district should take into consideration changing the credibility of these courses.
