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May 29, 2005 As a young man preparing for my freshman year at Pacifica High School, my counselor, Ms. Borghild Fjeld told me, "These are the years that prepare you for adulthood. What you do here will have a strong bearing on where you go in life." High School turned out to be a reality check. As a fourteen-year old I was attending a school that had more than its share of racial disturbances. But Pacifica High had its good points. I developed a love of words, and the skill to use them. I forged friendships that have lasted to this day. I met people whom I knew would do well, and sadly, others determined for an early demise. High school was where I honed the skills necessary to find a well-paying job. Beginning in grade school, we were instructed in ways that enhanced our social skills. We were taught the values of common decency and fair play (civics class). We were trained in the technical aspects of letter-writing (4th grade). In middle school we learned budgeting and of course there was sex education and career guidance. The ideals of these times were that teachers and administrators took a hands-on approach. This meant some children being held back a year or two, for their was nothing noble about pushing a child through the system. Most of these kids made out fine and without the psychological damage so many of today’s administrators claim afflicts such students. In short, you didn’t pass until you were ready. Today’s kids lack many of the essentials needed to learn. They are plagued by woefully outdated textbooks, lack of computers and semi-literate teachers who simply want to make it to payday. But that isn’t the core of the problem, per se. The quandary lies in much of today’s school curriculum being inadequate or irrelevant. The economy today is a fast-paced, international, electronically-linked environment. Every student needs computer skills. Many will need to face the bitter truth about jobs—that they will have to develop the skill to create their own. Computer mastery should be first and foremost, and such learning should begin in kindergarten. Every year students should be assigned a mandatory computer skills class, along with English—in both written and spoken form. More emphasis is being placed on being able to communicate effectively. (In technical writing this is essential). Government and History classes are for the most part passe, unless one plans to go into politics, or teach the latter. Why are these classes required for graduation? Required curriculum should include the skills that will be viable in the future—not the 1950s. Grant writing, business planning, marketing systems, urban planning, environmental sciences, land use strategies, and sociology should be prerequisites for college rather than post-high school electives. Even basic law classes should be an option for today’s students. Basic math skills should be mandatory, but higher levels of math optional for those who wish to study science and economics. Many high schools list algebra as a requirement, but what good will algebraic formula do for a family on welfare? In fact, classes on low-income strategies should also be implemented. After all, history has taught us that there will always be a struggling underclass. Every corner of the world is but a mouse click away. Thus, we need classes that teach the values of other cultures as well as our own. Courses that address the issue of interpersonal communication should be mandatory. The earlier we introduce our youth to the realities of this new world, the better they’ll be able to function in it. This is vital especially when one realizes that the best American jobs are no longer on American soil. Administrators must begin to design programs that fit the need of the student in a global vein. Idealistic? Perhaps, but that’s what science and technology is—idealism carried to fruition. ------------ About the author: Timothy Stelly is the 45-year old author of "Tempest In The Stone" and the upcoming, "The Malice of Cain". He resides in Pittsburg, California with his three youngest children Dante, Kimberly and Lawrence. I have a new website: stellbread0.tripod.com Email: stellbread@sbcglobal.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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