High Schools May Add to Students’ Class Load

The Las Virgenes Unified School District is considering increasing the number of credits required to graduate. Officials say it would enhance students’ education by getting them to take more electives.

Beginning in 1997, incoming high school freshmen would need 230 credits to graduate, up from 220. The Board of Education will take a final vote June 11.

Supt. John Fitzpatrick, who proposed the idea, said many students already have more than 220 credits when they graduate. At Calabasas High School, he said, about 75% of the seniors will graduate with more than 220 credits.

It would mean a longer school day for many seniors, who traditionally take fewer classes than students in lower grades, officials said.

Students interviewed this week at Arthur E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas had mixed feelings. Some said they believe the additional work might cause struggling students to drop out. But most agreed that the additional electives would enrich students’ lives, and even provide job training.

“More electives would help open more jobs in the future for those kids,” said eighth-grader Matt Miller of Agoura Hills.

Tyler Rollins, a seventh-grader from Hidden Hills, said he wouldn’t mind the extra work. “Electives are something you like to do instead of something you have to do,” he said.

His mother, Katherine Miller, questioned how the school planned to fund the extra credits. “Every time you turn around they are sending notes homes saying they need money,” she said.

Officials say it won’t really cost more money to accommodate additional students and that sections could be added as needed.

Rose Dunn, president of the Las Virgenes Educators Assn., said the union approves of the plan, because it would help create well-rounded students.