When I went to school decades ago, all students were required to take economics and home economics. Students also took metal shop, wood shop and mechanical drawing. Today, these classes have largely been eliminated and replaced with social justice initiatives. Many of these lessons take place in Academy; a homeroom where students can work on homework, visit teachers to get extra help in classes, or make-up assignments. Although they may learn about various clubs that operate in the school, they are also given lessons on non-academic topics like diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism, as well as marketing presentations by vendors who have privileged relationships with schools such as Josten’s (class rings). While kids in my generation learned how to operate a stove, sewing machine, drill press, and lathe, today’s middle and high school kids learn little about such useful life skills.
While some people believe students need even more lessons on these non-academic topics, many teachers and parents feel students would be better off learning more life skills and trade skills.
Here are some comments from teachers who responded to the GHAPS Staff Perception Surveys.
“Keep academy (but perhaps make it a bit shorter), utilizing academy time to meet students' other needs (keeping a budget, career exploration, college planning, etc. - as mentioned above).”
“More emphasis on life skills. Yes, we have the tech center but every program has a wait list. Home economics class needs to be reintroduced. Personal Finance class needs to be required.”
“ELA students at the high school get three years practicing the kind of writing that rarely gets used outside of college English classes and almost no time practicing the kind of communication one might need to be effective at if they, say, own a business or work in customer service.”
“I personally feel we need to bring back basic skills. Cooking, mechanics things kids need to know for life, books only take us so far; they need life skills.”
“Life skills not just books and sports. Teach our kids how to fix their cars and cook nutritional meals
Year-Round Music Needed in Elementary! Stop changing curriculum!”
“Bring back home economics, metal shop, wood shop. Start teaching real life needs like balancing a check book and talking more about trade schools instead of just college degrees.”
Results from the GHAPS Parent Perception Surveys show parents agree. Here are some comments from parents.
“Spanish all year would be ideal, and we can't believe there is no Spanish for 5-7th grades!”
“I would like to see an acknowledgement and effort to start creating more opportunities for kids to learn business and basic money management along with trades or employable skills that don't require a 4-year college degree.”
“I would like to see reading teachers read with kids again at elementary. Need specials back like art and music every week.”
“Schools seem to run independent and the district lack leadership as a whole on how the district will grow. District is not creative nor pro-active, but only reacting to situations. Surveys that are given are skewed but schools seem to run with results rather than assessing what is best for students in the long run. Where is the focus on soft skills, critical thinking, grit, flexible thinking? How are these taught, demonstrated, discussed? If the school really wants to build students who are successful in life, are they ensuring the excellence education in content and life skills? Much of what I see is a school just operating day to day and hoping the teachers to do a good enough job educating students. The systems I do see put into place focus on social/emotional, students with special needs, or at-risk students.”
“Offer finance clubs at early ages, teaching kids how to build financial security and manage finances.”
“Debating skills would be helpful so that students do not learn to simply emotional react with yelling at people, but rather make thoughtful input into discussions.”
Parents and teachers can clearly see how these skills will enable our children to be independent adults. Focusing on academics and incorporating life and trade skills would be a huge benefit to our children. Is it even possible to do this when accepting funding from State and Federal Governments that comes with strings attached?