Life Will Test Grads on Subjects Not Taught in School
Artwork by Aasif Allen
The idea of high school that has been pushed upon its attendees is that it is preparing graduates for the next chapters in life – adulthood and college. However, many students across America graduate without knowing necessary life skills.
At no point in Sophomore Composition or Geometry are students taught how to build their credit score or network with people who can help them advance in their careers. Students are filled with other knowledge of Romeo’s downfall and the Pythagorean Theorem that is used little to not at all post high school graduation.
Students are filled with other knowledge of Romeo’s downfall and the Pythagorean Theorem that is used little to not at all post high school graduation.
— Briana Sparks
The one class at Southfield High School that helps students acquire some of these important life skills is Academy Creations Management with teacher Erin McBrien. That class runs an actual business serving customers for any of their printing needs. They print business cards for customers, laminate posters and print invitations. For that class, students are required to complete a cover letter, a follow-up letter, and a resume. Now that’s useful stuff.
Students who don’t take the class could always consult the Internet to learn how to create a resume or write a business letter. But taking a class in such matters is highly useful to a graduate – any graduate.
Unfortunately, many students graduate without learning these important lessons. Requiring students to take a class on real world knowledge such as networking, banking, and accounting would not be a bad idea. This would provide students with insight on the things they will be required to do after high school, such as apply for college or begin a job hunt.
If a required class cannot be added, the school could take the initiative and invite guest speakers to demonstrate these necessary lessons to high school students. At the end of the day the most important time in a high school student’s life has yet to come. If schools have the ability to do more and teach more to the students, then it should be done. Students should receive and be exposed to the necessary information that will follow them out of high school into their young adult lives.
