Math, science, reading, social studies and other core school subjects are incredibly important for kids to study, but electives give them a chance to expand their horizons and embrace activities that they truly enjoy. This is why it’s so important for students to pick electives that really resonate with them.
“Electives offer opportunities for exploration and discovery,” says Allison Roberts, Early College of Macomb and International Academy of Macomb Administrator. “They can lead students on pathways to future careers or college pursuits.”
Course offerings include career and technical education courses, physical education and health, visual, performing and applied arts and world languages. Students in Macomb County may also take core academic courses as electives once their graduation requirements are fulfilled.
“Our Macomb County Public Schools offer an incredible amount of choice when it comes to picking an elective course,” she says.
How to pick school electives
In Michigan, students have 18 of their credit requirements defined by the State of Michigan. The total number and type of credits for graduation vary by district, the average is 24, though in some districts students may need up to 29 credits.
By seventh grade they will start developing an educational development plan (EDP), which is updated annually through 12th grade and gives them a suggested path to high school success based on their areas of interest and course selections.
“Electives should be selected in areas of interest for the student,” says Roberts. “Electives generally make up 4 or more credits of a student’s graduation requirement and can be from a variety of categories of courses such as, Visual Performing and Applied Arts, CTE courses, Music and theatre classes, health & physical education courses, foreign languages and so much more.”
Each spring, students will start scheduling electives for the next school year. Secondary schools provide students with course descriptions to help them make their choices, and school counselors also visit classrooms to give presentations and provide guidance, too.
If they can’t pick an elective based on the information they are given, they can talk with their teachers and may also explore the labor market to help them make decisions on electives that will get them to their career goals.
Students who are struggling to pick electives also have the option to meet one-on-one with their school counselor for help.
The parent’s role
While parents should give their kids guidance around the electives that they choose, parents shouldn’t pick the student’s electives for them.
Instead, Roberts suggests parents play a partner in the scheduling process.
“Since they know their child best, they can engage in conversations centered around careers, career exploration, or strengths and interests of their child and help advocate and steer them in a pathway that fits them best,” says Roberts. “Parents can share their own personal journey and experiences with their children to connect and build on this journey.”
For more information on living and learning in Macomb County, visit Make Macomb Your Home. Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s A Family Guide to Macomb County.
