I’m an elective teacher, one of many who worked with the board to avoid sacrificing electives. Science didn’t lose; electives didn’t win. Students benefited from a diverse curriculum that challenged and engaged them.

Researchers report teens need to explore ideas, try on identities, find what interests them. Children who learn to love learning something learn to love learning almost everything. Those who learn to fail face steep odds overcoming it. Finally, research shows schools offering diverse curriculum — including academics, practical arts, shops, electives like art and music and activities like physical education — earn the interest of the widest group of students.

Middle schoolers confront myriad issues. Education is one, and it doesn’t rank high. They’re dealing with growth, hormones, peers, cell phones, the Internet, drugs, identity, security, independence. For education to even be on the list, there must be powerful, positive reasons.

Had they found a reward, any reward, they’d be succeeding.

If you want student success, give reason to succeed. Give something to latch onto, to drive to success. Those things include math, English, science, social sciences, wood shop, music, art, computer, journalism, dance, drama, home economics, psychology, agriculture, writing, chess club, magic club, engineering, aeronautics, welding, carpentry, landscaping, sports, cheerleading, community service. When we take away from the buffet of educational choices offered to children, we take away from their reasons for school, for success. Conversely, we add to the reasons for failure.

The question is not “One semester or two of science?� In the movie “Field of Dreams,� they said, “If you build it, they will come.� Imagine the headlights stretching to the horizon at the movie’s end. I can promise you that if we build education that offers much, then many will want to come — and they will be greedy at our table of education. The question is, “Will we build it?�

— Stephen M. Galvin, Simi Valley