Don't take away high school elective opportunities. They are crucial for positive student growth and development

I was painfully shy when I started high school but luckily. I had the opportunity to take elective classes that helped me to come out of my shell. Performing in drama class helped me get over my fear of public speaking. Competing at the state and national levels in DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) furthered my self-confidence. Participating in the student council and becoming one of the yearbook editors developed my leadership skills. Learning Spanish enabled me to study abroad and travel the world.

I am now a high school English Language Development teacher and I see that the quality and range of the electives we offer mean as much for my students as they did for me. My students love learning about their cultures and developing their sense of identity through Chicano and Black Studies, ballet folklorico, and mariachi classes. They look forward to exploring their creative and artistic sides through art, photography, drama, jewelry, and ceramics. They enjoy learning foreign languages, culinary arts, film criticism, and much more. These electives help my students discover their interests and grow into well-rounded citizens.

In November, the Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) proposed that New Mexico adopt new graduation requirements that look more like admission standards for an Ivy League university than criteria to graduate high school. Our students would be required to take math, science, social studies, and English during all four years of high school. As presented in November, to make room for this change, students will only have to take two electives during their entire high school career, instead of 7.5, like they do now.

New Mexico already has one of the lowest graduation rates in the country; we are one of only two states that consistently graduates less than 80% of their students. Eliminating courses that engage and empower our young people while supporting their overall development might put us on an even more downward slope. We must recognize the characteristics of a well-rounded and contributing citizen and build upon that, not take away from it. Some of the proposed changes could hinder some students from staying in school and ultimately graduating. This would translate to higher rates of crime and substance abuse, as well as more of a need for socialservices. We will all feel the effects of this.

More and more universities are recognizing that a student’s academic performance only tells part of their story and many degree-granting institutions are no longer requiring standardized test scores for admission. These schools are looking at the whole student to determine whether or not they’re likely to be successful on their campus. High school graduation requirements need to focus on how to provide all students with plenty of engaging electives that will help shape them into well-rounded citizens with a variety of interests. These requirements must encourage students to develop into versatile young adults with a variety of skills and passions.

Many of our students in New Mexico would never have the opportunity to throw a pot in ceramics, learn the guitar, or create a business plan if it weren’t for their high school elective classes. I sure wouldn’t have.

The LESC needs to consider helping develop our students into whole and fulfilled citizens when proposing new graduation requirements. Our students deserve nothing less.

Rachel Woods is a National Board Certified, 9-12 grade ELD teacher at Albuquerque High School. She is a Ph.D student at UNM and a Teach Plus New Mexico Policy Fellow.