When Budget Is Starved, Challenging Courses Are Frills

Many Midwood High students got quite a surprise when their advanced placement courses and other higher level classes weren't on their schedules. It was not a mistake. The lack of challenging courses is the direct result of budget cuts and a severe lack of funding overall. Many students, who would be applying to elite colleges, ended up with only half a day of classes, including gym. Other programs also suffered, such as the SAT-prep program for over 1,000 people and sessions for immigrating students leaning English. The principal of Midwood gave priority to classes required for graduating. However, only one extra remedial class was removed in comparison to the many AP and advanced classes that were removed despite their necessity for college. This situation is not limited to Midwood High or just New York. Almost every school district faces these problems, and unfortunately, too many challenging courses are deemed "extras." http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/22/education/22education.html?pagewanted=2