6 FEATURES
NOVEMBER 6, 2020
prospectornow.com
Students strive for balance in schedule RACHEL ZURBUCH Executive Features Editor
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hen senior Elissa Lov entered high school she, like many other freshmen, didn’t know what she wanted to do as a career. There were many options, and Lov was unsure of which direction to go. However, her sophomore year she decided she wanted to explore her opportunities, so Lov decided to take the class Introduction to Computer Programming. While she liked the opportunity of Introduction to Computer Programming, she wasn’t sure if it fit as a career for her, so the following year when she was a junior she took Project Lead The Way Introduction to Engineering and Design. She still wanted to try something different, so for her senior year, she decided to take human physiology and medical terminology to pursue her interest in the pharmaceutical field. Lov liked all the options she had throughout her high school career to be able to take career pathway classes. However, it wasn’t without cost. Lov had to drop orchestra in order to make room in her TIPPING THE SCALE: A student tries to balance her Common Core curriculum classes and career pathway classes.While schedule for career pathway classes and her Common Core curriculum is focused upon in the U.S., the rise for career-related classes has led to D214 starting a career pathforeign language. ways program. (photo illustration by Abby Mckenna and Rachel Zurbuch) “I was kind of disappointed that I had Megan Knight, Director of Academic focus on some of their current interests realize the opportunities available at first to [drop] orchestra during my sophomore early.” which makes them more concerned or year,” Lov said, “but, also, I’m still really Programs for D214, said that D214 started doing a career pathway focus around a Social science teacher Jay Heilman is confused. She, for example, scheduled time appreciative and grateful that I got to take decade ago. It originated from Wheeling proud of all that D214 has done to increase with college and career counselor Diane Computer Programming.” High School and then transitioned to others. career readiness for students. Currently, he Bourn and went to D214’s career nights. In the U.S., the general education system Knight explains that the premise of the teaches Criminal and Civil Law; he has also She sees how it could be challenging to fit focuses on a Common Core curriculum. program is to create a guide for students taught Law and the Individual in previous career classes in schedules. This year, she However, in the past few years, the push as they focus on high school and their years. These classes fall under the law has even decided to take a third elective –– for career pathways and classes has risen meaning she does not have a lunch period –– among school districts, including District postsecondary plans. She emphasizes that pathway that students can pursue. Heilman, like Knight and Franklin, so she can take more of a variety of classes. 214. Maintaining the balance between the program is built so that students can change their mind if needed, and explore the advises students to try career pathways Lov mostly likes the variety of education Common Core and career classes proves to fields. Then, eventually, they can hopefully even if they don’t end up pursuing that field. that the U.S. and D214 offers. Heilman be a struggle for some high school students. get a good idea of their specific field. There In his classes, he believes that students get believes that the U.S. places a focus on a wellThe Common Core curriculum are now 16 career clusters. something out of the research and current rounded education because of the American emphasizes teaching students English Counselor Timothy Franklin feels events discussed no matter their future path. mentality. Language and Arts, mathematics, social similarly about the program. He notices “A lot of times when you’re a freshman “America has always been the land of studies and science. It focuses on providing his students often change their and you take some of those career opportunity,” Heilman said. “We kind of students with clear learning mind on what career they may inventories, you don’t know what you want,” pride ourselves as Americans to be able to do goals to prepare students want to pursue throughout Heilman said. “ … I think it’s stressful for a whatever you want to do, dream however big for college, career and high school. high school student to know, ‘Am I taking we want to dream, and I think our education life. “We want you to explore the right classes?’ ‘Am I making the right system has adopted that same mentality of F r o m now so you can decision?’ ‘Do I like this?’” opportunity.” kindergarten to 12th affirm your This is why Heilman encourages Though Heilman sees the benefits of a grade, students have career choice students to take classes based on their more specialized education system, he is a set of standards before you leave interests. Junior Katherine Doyle agrees hesitant of that approach because he thinks each year that is our doors,” that students should explore their interests that it’s hard for people to identify what they defined by many Knight said. but does have some concerns. While she want to do, even at a younger age. factors, including “ ... We know does appreciate holistic education, she still That’s why he likes the career pathway college expectations, there’s this wishes sometimes that there would be more model D214 does; it allows students to higher thinking skills postsecondary opportunities for students earlier on. explore their interests. and success in the global world beyond “I’m taking human physiology this year Heilman encourages students to be vocal economy and society. high school, because I have interest [in] going into the when they want curriculum or classes - Jay Heilman, social The reasoning behind and by science or medical field,” Doyle said. “But to change so the D214 knows their needs. Common Core is to science teacher affirming this is the only class I’ve been able to take Knight explains that though there is still a generalize education throughout the U.S. so far because I’ve been so busy trying to be big importance of a well-rounded, Common and to make a basis of learning requirements your career pathway as a student, you are Core based education, the career pathways so that all students can learn through similar setting yourself up to move on … and to do that well-rounded student.” that in an efficient manner.” She mostly wishes for more guidance, take high school education a step further. ideals. Both Knight and Franklin agree that especially during sophomore year. She “It’s a huge stepping stone to what comes While Lov sees how the Common Core believes that junior year is the year that next for them,” Knight said. “The whole principles may be outdated in some ways, the purpose of career pathways is to avoid “you need to know now” what you want to idea behind the career pathways model is to she appreciated how they allowed her to confusion in college. “For teenagers, that’s the most pivotal do, and going in she felt a bit unprepared, move away from the traditional mentality of figure out which subjects she wanted to time where you enter into self-discovery, which is why she wishes there was more high school. That it’s, these four years, and pursue further in high school. we’re going to give you a great four years, For example, throughout elementary and and you’re still trying to figure things out,” guidance given sophomore year on careers, Franklin said. “ ... I think in order to reduce classes and opportunities. and then off you go. We are really owning middle school Lov enjoyed math and decided some of the time and money college students Lov believes that students have pretty our secondary success in a way that is very she wanted to further explore the STEM good opportunities in high school, but different than perhaps what the traditional field. Therefore, in high school this led to are spending in college … the high school level is trying to get students to gain their believes that sometimes students don’t model of school has looked like.” career pathway classes in STEM.
It’s a stressful time for a high school student to know, ‘Am I taking the right classes? Am I making the right decision? Do I like this? ‘“
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