Starting next year, seniors have the option to fulfill their senior English credit requirements by enrolling in Journalism II or III, a change from previous practice.

Previously, 12th graders were required to take Dual Credit, AP Literature or English IV to meet their English requirements in their senior year.

Mr. Tyler McWhorter, the English department chair, said the change is the result of Journalism I’s NCAA accreditation. 

“If a student had taken our core classes plus Journalism I as an elective,” McWhorter said, “they would have the four credits necessary that colleges would look at.” 

By taking Journalism I, the prerequisite for Journalism II, and three years of core English courses, students would meet the NCAA English requirement prior to their senior year. 

“In their senior year, rather than force [students] into one of our core courses,” McWhorter said, “let them continue with the advanced coursework in Journalism.”

Journalism, according to the department chair, offers the same essential skills as the department’s core courses for college readiness and success. While the writing style is different, McWhorter said, the students are exposed to similar skills in argumentation, supporting claims and language use.

While the percentage of students choosing Journalism II or III over a core class is relatively low, McWhorter said, the change “allows that small group more flexibility in their senior year… that flexibility is really what it’s all about.”