When students are in classes and are planning out their futures after high school, politics has a huge impact whether they know that or not. 

    Three different organizations, the federal Department of Education, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), and the school district determine how public schools run and the impact on students’ futures.

     One of the major aspects in education is curriculum, what’s being taught and exposed to students. ODE and the school district will research, approve or deny the development of certain classes or content, and buy textbooks/curriculum for classes. 

     At Tigard High School, students have the opportunity to choose classes they want to take and explore based on whatever is chosen by those at ODE and on the school board. 

     “Out of my education, I want to be able to explore different courses to experience what it is like in different subjects. What’s the mindset of business people? What’s the mindset of scientists? Facing a different perspective is something I find thrilling!” an anonymous student said.

     When classes are created, teachers and the elected school board have the ability to choose what does and doesn’t go into what’s being taught.

     Of course, any content is delivered to students in classrooms by teachers. They’re the ones who have the one of the biggest impacts on students. 

     “In middle school, there’s a teacher who preferred certain skin colored people to others, and it felt very targeted like it’s just for [those] students,” freshman Idaly Bazoria-Castillo said.

     That higher level problem is one that’s addressed by the federal department of education. It makes sure that Title VI is implemented in schools that receive federal funding. Title VI is a part of the Civil Rights act of 1964 that prohibits discrimination based on race, national origin, and color. 

     In the Tigard-Tualatin School District (TTSD), there are efforts being made to diversify staff to help alleviate the situations described by Bazoria-Castillo. Approximately 16% of licensed staff in the district are people of color (as of the 2022-2023 school year), while 51% of the student population district wide are students of color. 

     The federal government also addresses student needs in terms of financial assistance for college. If a student were to attend a college or university, they are always encouraged to apply for a “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA) or “Oregon Student Aid Application” (ORSAA) no matter what their social economic status is. 

   “[Without student aid] it would definitely make my options less possible. I probably would still be able to go to college, but having something like FAFSA or Oregon Inspired, programs like that, which helped college students pay off those incredible loans – it really does help open options. So without FAFSA, it’s very possible I would probably not even think about leaving Oregon; I’d probably stay,” Axel Mortenson, junior said.

   FAFSA is given to about 9.7 million college students every year, according to the Federal Student Aid office for the Department of Education. It is a crucial part for students who plan on attending college because it can determine if they’re able to attend, and or if they will need to have a student loan.

     Clearly, politics impacts students’ daily lives as well as their futures. It’s time we start paying attention.