Currently, students are required to take at least three years of social studies classes at Blue Valley. As the district mandates, each grade offers an AP and non-AP version of the same class.

Seniors take AP U.S. Government or U.S. Government. Juniors take APUSH or U.S. History. Sophomores choose between AP European History and World History. 

Wait, what?  

Clearly it must be a mistake that the non-AP sophomore option is labeled with the term “world” instead of European — as it is impossible for the class to stray too far from AP Euro’s curriculum because they are supposed to be equivalent courses. 

If we follow this assumption, there is not one required social studies class at BV focused on non-white, non-English speaking countries. 

This can and eventually will lead to a poorly informed, small-minded student population. 

The decline began with the elimination of the area studies classes. 

BV’s intense dedication to climbing the ranks of school districts lead to quality classes being cut in favor of higher level classes. 

At the end of the day, life isn’t all about AP credit. And if they are really in desperate need of an AP class, why not AP World History? 

Global citizens are created when students take the time to expand their knowledge of the world and make their own conclusions. 

Regardless of what classes are offered each year at BV, students should strive to be well informed on a variety of global issues. 

Students should aim to listen to the news or read articles. With phones around 24/7, students should be more than able to keep updated with current events. 

There is no excuse for millennials to be globally uninformed.