Starting this school year, George Washington High School freshman were required to take a new class: GW 101, intended to help freshman with the middle school to high school transition.
The purpose of the class is to teach study skills, note taking, organization, test taking skills, and time management, which are necessary in high school and higher education. Also, the class is intended to encourage students to work together to solve class-related problems. GW 101 is taught by three freshman English instructors -- Alice Abernathy, Emily Patterson and Mary McCoy (who replaced Dr. Debbie Baldwin at the start of the second semester).
However, the students for whom the class was designed do not believe it has achieved its stated purpose.
After one semester at George Washington, several freshmen were asked for their thoughts on the new class (which is required for both semesters). Most did not wish to be quoted. The consensus of those interviewed, though, can be summarized by Michael Lynch.
"The class veered from its original purpose to help us become better students to English 'class' busy work," Lynch said. "Instead of helping us with the topics we are currently discussing in class, the GW 101 class seems like an extra English class I have to worry about.
"GW 101 would be better if we could prepare for upcoming English tests or to complete work for other classes," he concluded.
"The class is a good idea, but it can be easily manipulated by students who do not use the time for their benefit," said Jacy Bishoff. "However, the class would be more useful if we were given assignments relating to topics we are studying in our classes."
At the end of the first semester, freshman counselor Kackie Eller visited all the GW 101 classes to hear the students' opinion of the class. The GW freshman unanimously decided that the GW 101 class curriculum needed improvement.
If the program was intended to teach study skills, time management and note or test taking skills, it failed to meet its goal. Those asked suggested that the class could be used as a directed study hall where students can receive help from teachers or peers. Most stated that the class should also not be required or graded because it just adds additional pressure.
Changing the curriculum this year may be impossible, but if the school truly intends to help freshman with the transition from middle to high school, the faculty will listen to the feedback from the students and modify the class to truly serve its stated goals.