Enriched Classes: Should They be Weighted?
Students do work in a class
December 3, 2021
Staying up till 2 am doing homework is something every enriched student is familiar with, but should these students get the same credit that honors and AP students get?
Doing the same amount of work that honors classes get but getting the same recognition general classes get is frustrating for students in enriched classes. So why don’t they get the same amount of recognition?
Ms. Ventimiglia, an assistant principal, said “The Enriched designation came about as a way for students to denote on their transcripts that they took a more rigorous course level offered. Many years ago, there was no distinction externally if you were in general or enriched. The Enriched was added to the course level and now is reflected not only on the transcript but also in our college profile. It was not weighted because we have always had Honors and AP tracks that carried the higher weight.”
For many this makes sense but there is still room for improvement and change in this. The honors classes are particularly hard to get into and are gatekept in a way that makes it so you can’t get in.
Deanna Gaber, a junior also weighed in on the issue, “I think it’s difficult because there isn’t enough consistency in the level of difficulty enriched teachers teach at so I know some are a lot harder than others which aren’t fair. So what I think might be better is for students who want to take a weighted more difficult class they should make the ability to take honors classes more accessible.” Students throughout all levels are struggling in their classes no matter the consistency of teaching. There are only two options no credit or credit and no in between, even though there are in between classes.
Mr. Fleissner, English teacher had an opinion on this issue, “So, I think it is a complicated issue, because essentially yes I do think they should be weighted. But how much they should be is a trickier question, it is certainly more challenging than a regular class but not nearly as challenging as an honors class. And we want to incentives that but we don’t want to disincentives honors classes.”
The recurring theme here is that honors classes are unattainable and should be available to more students and if you feel like it is too hard for your skill level you can drop. As students you know your limitations on schoolwork and how hard you have to work for each grade, so the enriched level should have weight but not as much as the honors classes. Enriched students are burning themselves out trying to meet the expectations of their classes and not being appreciated.
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Nyambura Wamae • Dec 23, 2021 at 11:50 AM
Enriched classes should be weighted, though not as much as Honors or AP classes. Students in Enriched classes work at a higher level than those in General classes, and yet still don’t get credit for said work. It is not fair for a student to do more work and not get credited for it. If that’s the case, then just General, Honors, and AP classes should suffice; there would be no need for Enriched classes. It’s frustrating, and I’m speaking as an Enriched student myself, to see all of your hard work go nowhere.
Lindsey Klein • Dec 23, 2021 at 11:40 AM
Enriched classes should definitely be weighted, especially since some of them give honors work. If students are expected to do harder assignments, they should receive more credit.
Ava Bergman • Dec 23, 2021 at 11:39 AM
I believe enriched classes should be weighted. These classes take much more time and effort to complete. It is unfair to give the same grading curriculum to students who are completing the general curriculum. Enriched classes should be rewarded.
Noah Golden • Dec 23, 2021 at 11:14 AM
Enriched Classes should 100% be weighted. This is because it is a more challenging curriculum that students should receive more credit for taking. Because more people drop out of enriched and go into general, the students who stick with enriched classes should be rewarded.
Madelyn • Dec 23, 2021 at 10:41 AM
Many times enriched classes are a disadvantage to the student. Being given a larger workload with the same credits as a regular class is extra work and stress for virtually no difference. Many students’ grades suffer when they could be in an ¨easier¨ class that is also not weighted.
Rachel • Dec 23, 2021 at 9:15 AM
I 100% agree with Mr. Fleissner. As a student who takes enriched classes, I have come to realize that they almost put students at a disadvantage. We have an increased workload and move at a faster pace, yet get no recognition let alone credit!
Mia Kahrar • Dec 23, 2021 at 8:15 AM
I completely agree with Mr. Fleissner I am a student that takes enriched classes and I feel that I work harder and still get no recognition. It would be nice to have slightly higher credits than those taking general classes. Our workload is increased and the pace we learn at is faster. I’ve had teachers say I treat this class as an honors class. If you expect me to perform like an honors student why am I not receiving credit?
Emma • Dec 23, 2021 at 8:10 AM
As a student in almost all enriched classes I completely agree. Freshman year I had the same history teacher as my friends but they were in AP and I was in enriched. The teacher gave us the exact same tests, homework, and classwork. The only difference was my class would not have a review day and the Honors class would. Doing the same work as them and not getting any credit was really frustrating.