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By Erica Edwards
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Oct. 16, 2003 |
Facing a possible six-class maximum next semester, many students may turn to off-campus options to fulfill Drivers' Education and Health Education course requirements.
Although most counselors discourage students from taking off-campus courses, counselor May Choi said she expects an increase in students exploring alternatives such as four-day Drivers' Ed programs outside of school and online Health Ed.
"Many off-campus classes are very expensive, although they do fulfill the course requirements," Choi said. "But a majority of the students like to get these required classes out of the way."
Freshman Josh Baskin said he will take Drivers' Ed off-campus next semester because of a scheduling conflict. "These required classes are taking the place of classes that I really want to take, like art," Baskin said.
Freshman Alicia Dorfman, who attended A-Safeway Driving School last summer for the required four days of instruction, said that the off-campus courses are more convenient than the school's nine-week classes.
However, off-campus courses pose a financial obstacle to some students, according to Dorfman.
An A-Safeway Driving School employee who did not disclose his name said the school might implement discounts on the current price of $120 if the new class limit sends them crowds of students.
Freshman Andrew Olbrycht, who is currently enrolled in the school's nine-week Drivers' Ed course, said the class should have a place in a student's schedule, even with a six-class maximum.
"I feel the nine-week program is more effective because students are exposed to the material for a longer period of time, allowing the information to sink in, which is vital when the tests come around," Olbrycht said.
Baskin said the school should not require students to take these electives if a six-class maximum goes into effect, arguing that if the classes are required, board members should have the decency to allow them as a seventh or eighth class.
Choi argued that the state needs to resolve the problem of the six-class limit. "The school wants you to be competent in the society by learning things through these courses, but at this time, the state should not require these classes since the students neither have time nor money to take them," Choi said. |
