For the second semester of the 2012-13 school year at De Soto High School, the school has began to offer a part-time student schedule for seniors. This schedule allows seniors to take minimum amounts of classes if they have all of the necessary credentials to graduate.

Students that are involved in sports merely have to take five classes in order to be eligible to participate in their sport. This helps athletes clear up some of their schedule to do homework and achieve good grades so that they are eligible to play.

Only having five classes limits the education that one can obtain. With more classes comes more knowledge that can be utilized in the future. Part-time schedules limit intellectual progress, which restricts the students using the program from achieving, their full, academic potential.

The part-time schedule is also beneficial for students who maintain a job during the school year. Getting out of school early allows them to take more shifts and make more money for their college funds or other endeavors.

However, many students are not utilizing this time to do so. Several students have used this extra time to procrastinate, sleep, play videogames or simply skip class.

“I have been late to math class pretty much every single day because of this schedule,” senior Elise Miller said.

In addition, part-time students no longer have Seminar to get help on assignments for teachers.

“I think I’m just not on top of it this semester because I don’t have seminar. When you’re part-time you’re not supposed to be here, and I can’t get help when I need it,” Miller said.

I personally do not see why seniors need a part-time schedule. If the school required all students to take on a full- time schedule, students would be more likely to learn and retain more information in courses that they otherwise would not have taken. This information can be utilized in their future.

Although I do agree that a part-time schedule is beneficial to many students, I think that the program needs to be revised so that people cannot manipulate it. Students should be held responsible for showing up to school, school activities and team practices on time considering they have the luxury of going home. If they cannot complete these simple actions, the part-time schedule should be revoked or some sort of consequence should occur.