The classroom should be a place where students come to learn and flourish. Instead, many teens have begun to disregard their education due to the high standards and demanding classes society has deemed necessary and appropriate for all students regardless of their interests.
A teacher can give his or her class handouts, study guides and lectures over a topic but the students have become accustomed to waiting until the last minute and cramming to memorize the needed material. Most students only care about their report card grade.
Also, the material being presented will not impact a majority of the jobs one may obtain after high school. While various careers will need math, writing and science skills, the field of study chosen will greatly affect the classes needed to be prepared.
If a high school student has a particular career path in mind, then the classes they take should be immediately related to what one would also need in college. If a student is unsure about after high school plans then a standard set of classes should be given throughout the nation. This allows the student to be more involved in the creation of schedules and how it will impact their future.
Many times employers who are hiring are interested in the amount of education a potential employee has acquired. While a standard high school diploma should be a basic requirement, the hiring business should make a final decision based on one’s ability to do the tasks instead of the amount of schooling.
Students should feel they are prepared for what lies ahead of them. This can be better accomplished by integrating more practical classes into schooling. Financial aspects of buying a house or car, taxes and money management should be held as a higher priority than a math class that has a slim chance of being applicable in the after school world.
Likewise, society should not look down upon those who choose not to go to college. Numerous teens feel pressured by their parents and other adults to pursue a set future that has been deemed “desirable.” Schools should encourage their students to choose their own paths based on what makes them happy and give students resources to help them pursue that path.
MHS could better help students by offering a career exploration class during freshman year. A set of classes that would allow students to pursue a job or trade that does not require college could be given to those who choose to follow a less traditional route. For those who want to continue their education in college a more rigorous and demanding schedule could be given to prepare them. Although MHS has added classes that are more applicable in the real world such as a fire/EMT class and the KMHS radio class, they should take into consideration those who do not wish to go to college and offer more career related classes for those who would rather go straight into the work force or pursue a trade school.
