Educational Curriculum, Revisited

It seems clear to me that, by and large, organized education in high school does little to prepare its graduates for the ‘real world.’ Years ago, the test of basic competency was a High School Diploma, which then became a Bachelor’s degree; my own opinion is that the worth of the latter is also fading now rapidly.

Rather than complain, though, I thought it might be fun to create a fictional high school curriculum. I gave the student five required courses each semester; they’re allowed an elective course each semester (or two), means they’ll have a 6 period schedule.

I won’t pretend I know all the challenges about implementing something like this. However, most of these topics are barely addressed at all, and all of them are either a necessary evil, or all-too-stupid to ignore.

Freshmen:
Full year: Science (at an appropriate level to the student)
Gym
Math (at an appropriate level to the student)
Writing
Semester: Health
Typing

Sophomores:
Full Year: Foreign Language (of the student’s choice)
Economics
Intro to Business
World History
Semester: Public Speaking
Intro to MS Office

Juniors:
Full Year: Literature (of the student’s choice)
Best Practices in Parenting
Semester: First Aid
Driver’s Ed
Etiquette
Home Economics (of the student’s choice)
Industrial Arts (of the student’s choice)
Research & Research Methods

Seniors:
Full Year: US History
Intro to Psychology
Personal Management
Entrepreneurship
Arts (of the student’s choice)