Should High school students be required to read the classics

Should high schools require students to read the classics?

I think high schools should require students to read the classics because they are symbols of literary history that show how much we have improved since the simpler and less complex times. Reading helps us expand our imagination and increases our creativity levels. If reading and studying classics got us this far in society then it most definitely can get us even further. Just because as time passes and times get more modern and people develop different preferences we shouldn't be forced to drop the greatest pieces of literature. For example, as stated in the writing on page 2 "... may not have been created primarily to encourage a love of reading, but rather to give students a sample of "the best" of literature.". This shows us that classics are here to benefit our knowledge. Also, the schools should be benefiting us by continuing to provide us with classical texts for instance as written on page 2 paragraph 3 "In this age of declining literacy, a primary function of school should be first to ignite an appreciation for reading.".This informs us that schools should be the ones to be providing us with great literary pieces to help us surround ourselves with great knowledge and information. Therefore this is why I believe high schools should be required to make students read the classics.