How Easy Should High School Be?

Several conversations regarding senior projects have taken place in The Times' office over recent weeks. As reporter Dena Wood covered Yakima student Tiffany Stewart's successful senior project to end the state senior project requirement, Waitsburg's history and motivation in adopting senior projects, and the recent decision by Waitsburg's School Board to drop that requirements, the tone of those conversations moved from amusement to pride to disappointment.

This week, The Times received a letter to the editor from WHS alumni and Whitworth University Assistant Professor Elizabeth Abbey, better known to locals as Beth Abbey, daughter of Bruce and Barb Abbey. To Beth's response to our coverage, we say, "Here, here!" We couldn't agree more.

Like Beth, our main objection following the Board's decision to drop the requirement was the reason cited. For a high school that currently ranks among the top 5% in the state in academic achievement, dumbing down the curriculum to prevent the possibility of students leaving the district for an easier option seems counterintuitive.

When former principal Dan Butler originally proposed the idea of senior projects - long before they were a state requirement - he viewed it as a way to address an identified "lack of focus and expectations by the senior classes." Butler noted the many educational benefits of the projects as well as the fact that they allow (force?) students to get involved in the community through service and mentorship - something not all students will experience otherwise.

We understand that teachers and administrators bear a heavy load in trying to educate within a limited budget while being forced to meet ever-expanding government mandates. We also understand that a loss of students means a loss of funds. But if that logic is followed to its conclusion, does that mean that we should try to become the easiest school in the region, just so no one leaves?

We are particularly disappointed at the lack of discussion among the Board regarding the educational benefits to students that will be lost because of their decision regarding senior projects. While students will still have the option to complete a senior project, the students who opt out may well be the ones who would have benefitted most from the experience.