" I'd be mad too if I was a parent of a freshman. It's much more important for my kid to sit around doing absolutely nothing in a drama class than be able to find China, Iran, Mexico or Germany on a map. "

" It is disturbing how ignorant children, teenagers, and even adults today are when it comes to geography. I think it's great this this class is now required. Before, high school freshman were not taking any type of social science course. Of course, I also think that it is critical for students to have elective classes such as art, cermanics, drama, band, psychology, graphic design, 6th period sports, etc. I agree that there should be 7 periods in the school day. This will allow freshmen to study geography as well as take 2 electives. "

" My freshman daughter enrolled in the geography class because she was told it was required. (A lie, we later discovered.) She is a gifted honors student, holds a valid passport and has travelled, and is, in fact, "able to find China, Iran, Mexico or Germany on a map." She complains on an almost daily basis of how bored she is in her geography class because she is light years beyond the material being presented. Please don't assume that the parents and students complaining about this class are ignorant or lazy. As for her drama class, she has learned so much from drama about herself and has a newly-discovered confidence that is reflected in the polished presentations she is now capable of giving in other classes. What she is learning in drama will help her through college and into her adult life. Perhaps Ed was the kind of student that "did nothing" in drama class (if he actually studied drama), but my daughter is not. "