From the Superintendent's Seat
Electives Can Be Enlightening
By Dr. Carole G. Hankin with Randi T. Sachs

A great deal of pressure is placed on high school students to take the most challenging courses available to them in order to impress college admissions officers. The advice is valid, but if taken too literally it can restrict students from taking elective courses that just may have a strong impact on their lives.

At a Board of Education meeting in Syosset, we recently had a demonstration of student work in architecture, which is a three-year sequence in our high school's Technology Department. We were very impressed with the spectacular model homes the students had created, and the computer-aided design programs that they had mastered. When one of the students announced that he would be attending the United States Naval Academy in September and that as a result of his taking this course that he had chosen naval architecture as his field of study, I felt truly proud. Look at what participation in an "elective" course had done for this young man. It was incredible.

High school is certainly a time for experimentation and growth and if your child is fortunate enough to attend a school that provides a wide range of electives, you should encourage him or her to explore courses other than AP and Honors classes. Elective classes can be found in such departments as Business, Technology, Family and Consumer Science, Health, Physical Education, Music, Art, Language, and others. A course in American Sign Language could spark an interest in working with hearing impaired individuals. A course in nutrition or cooking could bring out a student's "inner chef" or restaurateur. A Health class in Peer Leadership can provide a unique opportunity for a student's social growth and to experience working with peers and younger students as a mentor or advisor.

Of course, elective classes can benefit all students, not just those hoping for acceptance to the Ivy League schools. Taking a sequence (three, four, or five years) can be a way to learn about a subject in depth. It can also serve as an outlet for creative or artistic students who choose sequences in art, music, or theater. And by completing a sequence in an elective rather than taking a number of very different courses, you are demonstrating a true interest in achieving a proficiency in that subject—another factor that is looked upon favorably by admissions officers at all types of colleges.

If your child insists that there is no room in his or her schedule urge him or her to look again. Go through your high school's course catalog together and read beyond the titles to see what the classes really cover. Consider also, that finding a course that engages your high school senior can be a great way to cure "senioritis" and keep him or her involved in school. Your child may discover new interests that can take him or her in an exciting and rewarding direction in life. #

Dr. Hankin is the Superintendent of the Syosset School District in Long Island.

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