In this study, a comparison was made between the achievement scores in English usage of students who were assigned English classes during their last two years of high school and the scores of students who elected English classes. The 667 participants in this study were members of the 1970 and 1972 graduating classes at Aviation High School, Redondo Beach, California. The findings indicated that there was no significant difference on a standardized test of English usage between the scores of students who were assigned English classes and the scores of students who elected English classes during their last two years of high school. The study also found that there was a significant difference on a standardized test of English usage between the scores of students who elected four or more semesters of English and the scores of those who elected fewer than four semesters of English during their last two years of high school. While the results indicated that there was no difference in student performance whether the student elected or was assigned to English, increased course work in English was an apparent factor in improved English performance. (Author/RB)