by Jackson Aglidjan (6th)

Should students be allowed to choose their own encores and UAs? I’m talking about all grades being able to select their subjects. Why are UAs and encores the way they are now? What are the benefits of being able to choose something on your own? And would students pay more attention or be more engaged in the subjects they pick? How would this affect students overall? This article will explore all of these questions.

Why are UAs and encores the way they are now?
Currently, they might be designed to offer a variety of topics, or students are assigned a random one. While some encores and UAs are fun and engaging, they could be even more enjoyable if students got to pick their own. For example, a student might not enjoy Gym because they dislike sports, but if they chose a different subject they liked, they might find it more fun.

Would allowing students to pick their own encores and UAs lead to smaller groups? Possibly. If students have the freedom to choose their classes, they might want to be with their friends, leading to friend groups clustering in certain classes. This could result in fewer students in some classes, but it might also make classes more enjoyable overall—especially if students are with friends.

What are the benefits of being able to choose on your own?
One benefit could be that students pay more attention and volunteer more in class. If students pick subjects they are interested in, they are more likely to stay engaged. For example, I tend to pay closer attention when I find a subject interesting—and I might volunteer more. So, giving students the option to choose could improve focus and participation.

How would students be affected?
Would their grades improve? Most likely, yes. The ability to choose subjects they enjoy or find relevant could motivate students to do better. Would the school see an increase in enrollment for encore and UA classes? Probably. If students pick their own classes, they might all choose popular subjects, leading to higher enrollment in certain classes.

Could it be harder to enroll in some classes? Yes. Popular classes with limited spots might fill up quickly, making it more difficult to join them. Conversely, classes with larger capacities—like Gym—might still have open spots, as many students might want to participate in different activities.

In conclusion,
This article discusses the reasons why UAs and encores are structured as they are, and whether allowing students to choose their own would make classes more fun and engaging. It explores the potential for smaller groups, increased student motivation, and improved grades. It also considers how enrollment patterns might change and whether it would be harder to get into popular classes.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether students should have the freedom to pick their encores and UAs.