a thought about career's advice

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 101649

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, AnitaKH <anita_hillin at y...> 
wrote:
> 
> 
> Geoff Bannister <gbannister10 at a...> wrote:
> 
> Geoff:
> Can I ask a clarification for UK readers? Can I assume 
> that "electives" are what we would call "options", i.e. the choices 
> we make at Year 10 (the old Fourth Year) of subjects we are taking 
to 
> GCSE level? And which year is the "junior year" of High School?
> 
> Ta!
> 
> 
> akh: US high school students have required courses (English, math, 
science) and electives (foreign language, drama, journalism).  Back 
in the ancient days (late '60s, early '70s when I was in high 
school), we were told in 8th grade, equivalent to grade 3, I think, 
what was required to graduate from high school, and what options we 
had.  Those of use perceived to be on the "college track" were 
advised to take the maximum amount of English, a foreign language and 
high-level math.  However, it wasn't until our Junior year (6th year 
of 7 or 11th year of 12, whichever system you use) that we had 
advisors talking to us about specific majors in college and what 
universities would fit us best.

Geoff:
Thank you for that. It fits what I thought. Electives are usually 
known as options in the UK and are very similar in their scope to the 
US electives you list. Students select them during the last term of 
Year 8 (the old Second Year) ready for their courses to GCSE in Year 
11 (the old Fifth Year). If they are staying on at school, they will 
move into the Lower Sixth followed by Upper Sixth (we tend not to use 
Year 12 and Year 13 designations in the UK).