Can you explain sequential electives requirement

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This sequential requirement from the state makes about as much sense as the VPMI math proposals that failed. The sequential requirement was put in place by people who don't know anything about schools and teens.

The requirement completely removes the opportunity for kids to sxplore new things and makes their electives, which should be their funnand enriching classes, into a chore.

Let the kids use their electives to find themselves, be it taking more science classes, or dabbling into very different things by jumping between guitar class, beginning drawing, a computsr class and theater.

I agree wholeheartedly, as an (old) FCPS grad who did just that. I wonder if they instituted this requirement in deference to college admissions, thinking colleges want to see kids with a passion or commitment for a particular thing, be it theater, photography, journalism, etc.

Fine, then those kids can do that. And Counselors can tell kids that are really invested in one area, be that humanities or STEM, and remind them that schools like kids to be well rounded so trying art or photography or drama is a good way to balance out the STEM or trying a harder math might be a good thing for a humanities kid. And then the kids can do what they want.

But why can't a kid show that they are well rounded by taking multiple intro art type classes to try out different skills with out taking a sequence?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does this have to do with having a republican governor? Was this instituted 10 years ago or so after the dems took over? Honest question.

Sorry.

Should have said an administration shift.

Chap is a democrat btw, the only moderate left in northern Virginia (the rest are fairly far left) and is willing to work with Rs to make education better.

The new R admin is focused on shaking up education, so with the party shift comes a focus shift. Maybe that can work to our advantage on this issue.

This year will be anything but a status quo year for education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This sequential requirement from the state makes about as much sense as the VPMI math proposals that failed. The sequential requirement was put in place by people who don't know anything about schools and teens.

The requirement completely removes the opportunity for kids to sxplore new things and makes their electives, which should be their funnand enriching classes, into a chore.

Let the kids use their electives to find themselves, be it taking more science classes, or dabbling into very different things by jumping between guitar class, beginning drawing, a computsr class and theater.

I agree wholeheartedly, as an (old) FCPS grad who did just that. I wonder if they instituted this requirement in deference to college admissions, thinking colleges want to see kids with a passion or commitment for a particular thing, be it theater, photography, journalism, etc.

Fine, then those kids can do that. And Counselors can tell kids that are really invested in one area, be that humanities or STEM, and remind them that schools like kids to be well rounded so trying art or photography or drama is a good way to balance out the STEM or trying a harder math might be a good thing for a humanities kid. And then the kids can do what they want.

But why can't a kid show that they are well rounded by taking multiple intro art type classes to try out different skills with out taking a sequence?

I looked back at my high school transcripts. Back then, some electives were semester. Some were full year.

I dabbled in so many different classes, almost all of them were intro type classes. The one that was not intro was choir. I made the middle audition based choir, having never done freshman choir or lowest mixed choir. I was not good enough to ever move beyond that choir, so I did the same level for two years. My electives would not have fulfilled the Virginia sequence requirement.

Sewing 1
Typing 1
Drama 1
Beginning drawing
Pottery 1
Student government x3 years (not a sequential class)
Psychology 1
2nd highest choir x2 years
Commercial art 1
Computer programming 1

[Anonymous]

This is a newish requirement, only implemented in the past several years. It’s not going away any time soon, unfortunately. I agree it’s stupid, but it is what it is. Electives in high school are becoming a thing of the past.

[Anonymous]

Can they take the second one in the summer pass/fail? Because this really is stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does this have to do with having a republican governor? Was this instituted 10 years ago or so after the dems took over? Honest question.

This was instituted just a couple of years ago right after the dems took over.

I think this year's sophomores are the first kids with the requirements for sequential electives.

So that would put the new requirement right around 2019/2020.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can they take the second one in the summer pass/fail? Because this really is stupid.

Only if it's offered in summer school. I don't think electives are, it's just core classes isn't it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, parent of an ES kid here and this is the first I am hearing about this but it sounds stupid. Hopefully it is gone in 4 years and we don't have to deal with it.

So my kid could have to blow electives on taking two course that are sequential even if he doesn't like an intro elective and wants to try something else? What the hell?

What is the logic behind this?

Kids take all of their core classes in sequence, what is the point of forcing electives in sequence? What is the educational reason for requiring this?

It is about job security for the music are art teachers to ensure that the music and art kids can't get away with only 1 years' worth of art or music and then take say, CS, or other elective academic subject, at the cost of lower enrollment and therefore lower FTE count for the art/music teachers. Count on the bureaucracy to preserve itself at all costs. Kid's educational goals or considerations be damned!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, parent of an ES kid here and this is the first I am hearing about this but it sounds stupid. Hopefully it is gone in 4 years and we don't have to deal with it.

So my kid could have to blow electives on taking two course that are sequential even if he doesn't like an intro elective and wants to try something else? What the hell?

What is the logic behind this?

Kids take all of their core classes in sequence, what is the point of forcing electives in sequence? What is the educational reason for requiring this?

It is about job security for the music are art teachers to ensure that the music and art kids can't get away with only 1 years' worth of art or music and then take say, CS, or other elective academic subject, at the cost of lower enrollment and therefore lower FTE count for the art/music teachers. Count on the bureaucracy to preserve itself at all costs. Kid's educational goals or considerations be damned!

Frustrating. Any ideas what we can do to change this stupid rule? Parents are actually proving pretty powerful this year.

[Anonymous]

OP here, before this thread turns into a 10 page political discussion, I still hope for more replies to my question with some facts or personal experience, like what your kid is taking to satisfy this requirement

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do languages count for this?

No.

So if you have a kid who is a gifted musician, for example, who qualifies for the highest choir/orchestra/band class as a freshman and wants to take advanced choir/orchestra/band all four years, plus their foreign language 4 years through AP, and extra math classes in their open elective spots, they have not fulfilled the "sequential" requirement because math and language don't count and their "fun" music elective was allon the same level.

So they either have to drop down in music their first year, or drop the extra math classes for 2 years to take an elective they are not interested in, just so they can check the stupid sequential electives box.

I hope that Virginia removes this requirement now that the government has changed hands back to republicans.

Maybe Chap Peterson can work with that republican education person from southern Virginia to set this requirement right.

Kids shoulc be able to use their high school elective classes on whatever they feel helps them to discover themselves. It is 1-2 classes per year. If they want to dabble, let them dabble. If they are gifted, let them explore those gifts in the most advanced class they can handle.

This is just a stupid requirement put innplace for the sake of change.

YOU ARE IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL. If your kid is that gifted, then they should be homeschooled or something else. These schools are not here to have you prep for an elite music career. THat's why a lot of elite (insert activity) home school or coop. Figure skaters and gymnasts come to mind.

There are several other hundred or thousand kids in any given HS and they cannot cater to each individual circumstance. That is YOUR JOB as the parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do languages count for this?

No.

So if you have a kid who is a gifted musician, for example, who qualifies for the highest choir/orchestra/band class as a freshman and wants to take advanced choir/orchestra/band all four years, plus their foreign language 4 years through AP, and extra math classes in their open elective spots, they have not fulfilled the "sequential" requirement because math and language don't count and their "fun" music elective was allon the same level.

So they either have to drop down in music their first year, or drop the extra math classes for 2 years to take an elective they are not interested in, just so they can check the stupid sequential electives box.

I hope that Virginia removes this requirement now that the government has changed hands back to republicans.

Maybe Chap Peterson can work with that republican education person from southern Virginia to set this requirement right.

Kids shoulc be able to use their high school elective classes on whatever they feel helps them to discover themselves. It is 1-2 classes per year. If they want to dabble, let them dabble. If they are gifted, let them explore those gifts in the most advanced class they can handle.

This is just a stupid requirement put innplace for the sake of change.

YOU ARE IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL. If your kid is that gifted, then they should be homeschooled or something else. These schools are not here to have you prep for an elite music career. THat's why a lot of elite (insert activity) home school or coop. Figure skaters and gymnasts come to mind.

There are several other hundred or thousand kids in any given HS and they cannot cater to each individual circumstance. That is YOUR JOB as the parent.

Or the requirement is stupid and unneeded.

Kids take sequential subjects throughout MS and HS, why do they have to take sequential electives? What is the point? And why is it that some electives don't count, like extra language or math or art?

But none of that helps the OP who wants to know what some people have done to meet this requirement.

OP: have tried talking with your kids Counselor? It sounds like you need to find a two course series in an elective and that something in the arts is the easiest to find.

[Anonymous]

I'd be fine with it if they would drop the PE requirement, that at least opens slots for this

[Anonymous]

Wait, is this an actual "requirement" if someone just doesn't, do they not graduate?

Or is this just a thing "They" want you to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do languages count for this?

No.

So if you have a kid who is a gifted musician, for example, who qualifies for the highest choir/orchestra/band class as a freshman and wants to take advanced choir/orchestra/band all four years, plus their foreign language 4 years through AP, and extra math classes in their open elective spots, they have not fulfilled the "sequential" requirement because math and language don't count and their "fun" music elective was allon the same level.

So they either have to drop down in music their first year, or drop the extra math classes for 2 years to take an elective they are not interested in, just so they can check the stupid sequential electives box.

I hope that Virginia removes this requirement now that the government has changed hands back to republicans.

Maybe Chap Peterson can work with that republican education person from southern Virginia to set this requirement right.

Kids shoulc be able to use their high school elective classes on whatever they feel helps them to discover themselves. It is 1-2 classes per year. If they want to dabble, let them dabble. If they are gifted, let them explore those gifts in the most advanced class they can handle.

This is just a stupid requirement put innplace for the sake of change.

YOU ARE IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL. If your kid is that gifted, then they should be homeschooled or something else. These schools are not here to have you prep for an elite music career. THat's why a lot of elite (insert activity) home school or coop. Figure skaters and gymnasts come to mind.

There are several other hundred or thousand kids in any given HS and they cannot cater to each individual circumstance. That is YOUR JOB as the parent.

Or the requirement is stupid and unneeded.

Kids take sequential subjects throughout MS and HS, why do they have to take sequential electives? What is the point? And why is it that some electives don't count, like extra language or math or art?

But none of that helps the OP who wants to know what some people have done to meet this requirement.

OP: have tried talking with your kids Counselor? It sounds like you need to find a two course series in an elective and that something in the arts is the easiest to find.

DC told me according to counselor ANY sequential course will count if it is not required. So, I don’t know if DC misunderstood as it sounds contradictory to what posters are saying here