Posted on: Friday, November 14, 2003

EDITORIAL
Curriculum needs are no zero-sum game

The Department of Education's proposed new graduation requirements for high school seniors are thoughtful and progressive.

But the way the department proposes to squeeze these new requirements into an already-crowded curriculum should be rethought.

Rather than throwing out certain physical education and social studies classes to make room for a new "senior project" proposal and additional language and fine arts classes, the system should consider lengthening the school day and/or the school year.

Clearly, any additional class time will require the cooperation of unionized teachers and administrators and will cost money. But education of our young people should not be treated as a zero-sum game.

The demands on our high school graduates today are vastly different than they were when our current school calendar and educational focus were developed.

Schools must have the flexibility to adapt, develop and change to today's needs. It cannot simply be a matter of swapping one block of instruction for another.

In fact, now that this conversation has been launched, there should be discussion of the entire curriculum. Over the years our schools have been burdened with numerous well-meant programs that have little to do with basic education. Are they all still needed?

With more time and more flexibility, our schools might have a chance to focus on what truly should be the outcome of education: competency in basic life skills that can translate into jobs or higher education.