Where is the line between policies that support students and policies that infringe on student freedom? How much responsibility and independence should a high school student have?
These are questions that I debate as a legislator and student council chair. Teachers and students tend to disagree about what the high school needs. For example, while teachers often argue for stricter policies with more consequences, students often interpret these policies as an infringement of their freedom. What they may not appreciate is that, in my experience, teachers are making their best efforts to help students learn productively.
One example of this argument playing out is around asynchronous work. When the teacher is absent, should asynchronous work be due at the end of the given period or by the next class?
Teachers that I have spoken with who are in favor of work being due at the end of the block argue that it helps students remain organized and stay on task. Other teachers and students argue for the work to be due by the next class. Some students may not have the proper resources to complete the work if they borrow a computer or need additional support. Students may also have an extensive workload, so having the freedom to decide how they manage their workload may be helpful.
Asynchronous learning is just one example of the line between student guidance and student freedom. To determine the boundary, we must consider more broadly the pros and cons of student responsibility and freedom.
It is true that academic freedom, taken to an extreme, means no structure for students. This much freedom would lead students to have no guidance on when, where or how to complete their assignments. Students would fail to complete their work and as a result of this, the benefits of collaboration among students would be lost. It may seem like all students would have the same amount of support or lack thereof from the school. However, some students may have greater access to outside support systems, creating an inequitable environment.
Nonetheless, the benefits of academic freedom are significant. Student freedom is integral to the development of young, responsible adults who will be able to manage their lives beyond high school. By giving students the freedom of decision-making, they will be forced to develop problem-solving skills, communication skills and discipline applicable to the real world.
Of course, we must consider that the other extreme of restriction has its benefits. It would likely foster an organized environment that would promote student safety and organization. Students would be forced to follow strict guidelines and rigorous standards which would allow teachers to more easily guide students on what they consider a path to success.
But this state of restriction would be altogether divorced from the real world. Educational institutions must prepare their students for the next chapter of their lives. Part of the brilliance of the high school is that the freedom it offers teaches students responsibility. Excessive guidance inhibits independent learning and leaves students at a disadvantage.
The lives of students expand far beyond school to sports, work and extracurricular activities. The high school has over 2100 students across four grades, which makes it nearly impossible to write overarching rules that are beneficial and equitable. Students have many things on their to-do lists beyond schoolwork, and they require flexibility to set their priorities.
This solution, as is true for most debates, lies in a balance between the two extremes. Ultimately, it is important to allow students the freedom to learn, develop, and grow while also supplying adequate support from the staff. Between 2014 and 2024, the high school has increased the number of adults in the guidance department from 14 to 22, a 57 percent increase, including more guidance counselors and the new addition of social workers, compared to an 18 percent increase in enrollment. These reforms are absolutely necessary to fight the wide range of problems that confront the high school.
Now that town leaders have properly introduced more assistance for students, it is time to uproot outdated policies and practices that overreach their jurisdiction over students. Asynchronous work restrictions should be the first to go. Just as support has risen, freedom must rise in parallel to enhance the student experience.