With more people questioning the public school curriculum, it is time to reconsider the curriculum in terms of providing realistic value for today’s high school graduates. Educators should be equipping students with life skills that will be needed on a day-to-day basis as a foundation for their adult careers and lives. Several important topics should be taught by schools today to prepare students for the future.
Vehicle maintenance
Although most teens are eager to start driving as soon as they reach the legal age, many do not know how to maintain a vehicle or even correctly interpret and respond to dashboard lights, warnings, and symbols. Not everyone needs to know how to change a car’s oil, but they need to know how often an oil change is needed as well as what to do when a flat tire happens while driving.
Financial principles
Although some schools offer basic accounting classes, there is no widespread curriculum essential financial course that teaches students how to manage money. Teens and young adults often get into financial trouble when they become employed or receive a credit card. Their knowledge is limited in many critical ways, such as not being able to tell what’s a good credit score. Ideally, high school students should be taught money management principles that include balancing a checkbook and paying bills on time, whether by mail or online. They should also understand the importance of a high credit score, which will enable them to make larger credit purchases like a car or a home as they become more established in their careers and start a family.
Health and wellness
Although most schools offer a unit or course on personal health issues, few students receive comprehensive training on lifelong dental care, reproductive health, and basic physical and emotional well being. More detailed instruction is needed in these areas to help students avoid major problems later. Likewise, students need to be aware of what to do in the event of a catastrophe. Many teenagers aren’t sufficiently aware of what to do in the event of an emergency situation or a critical medical situation. Understanding what to do in the event of a sudden medical situation or unexpected death will help them process shock faster and acclimate better. No one is immune to these situations. We should prepare our kids for them.
Household management
College students who live in dorms or share apartments with other students often get a rude awakening when they fail to pay the rent on time, keep the place clean, and avoid disturbing the neighbors with loud parties or arguments. Young people can learn valuable lessons while still in high school about how to rent an appropriate apartment, how to keep it clean and tidy, and how to handle chores like cooking, laundry, and house cleaning.
Common sense for daily living is essential. Students should learn the basics before graduation and beginning their adult lives.
