Things that every school leaver should know?

[MammothBlade]

You are to set the curriculum for high/secondary school in your country, I know it's different for Americans but let's just say the end of compulsory education - what general things should they be expected to learn?

IT and Computing: How to install programs, change system settings, the function of basic parts of an OS; how to upgrade and maintain their computer, the different parts involved.

English/Native language: Proper punctuation, spelling, and grammar. The most common mistakes would have some emphasis. Pupils will be familiar with, and have read, a fair amount of classic [insert mother tongue] literature.

Geography: How to read a paper map, understand geographical features, and understand demographics.

History: Important parts of their local area's history, an overview of national history, and a general history of their continental region. Breadth of knowledge should be important at this stage, without definitive judgements - it should be explicitly known that history is subject to various interpretations.

Maths: A functional maths ability should be essential.

Biology, Physics, Chemistry: Applied knowledge, enough to understand cause and effect and shun ignorant distortions of science.

Citizenship: To respect the rights and differences of others, to know the laws of the land, and to understand media bias and the basic political structure.

Physical and Health Education: How to spot common health problems, health issues that can arise, and how to keep fit - without team sports.

Religious Education: Abolished. It's an outdated class which can easily be covered by citizenship.

 

[Vault101]

they should know that once they are out working they will do the most learning then as much as they were in school

oh and they are all idiots...by default..non-negotiable

 

[ReadyAmyFire]

As well as mathematics, sciences etc I'd just have a compulsory 'life' class. How to wire a plug, use a washing machine, report a crime, etc.

Religious education wouldn't be a compulsory class, but it would teach the history of all the major religions, plus agnosticism and atheism, instead of the blinkered Catholic spiel we had to endure for 3 years.

 

[Catfood220]

I think that Bowling for Soup said it best.


Having said that, I wish I had taken more notice in my RE lessons. I found the subject of religion really boring when I was in school but as I've gotten older I find myslf fascinated by the subject despite having no strong beliefs myself.

 

[Powereaver]

Get ready to have very little support in the education world.. you wont be supervised so to speak.... and will be mostly relying on yourself to keep your stuff in check.

 

[StormShaun]

they should know that once they are out working they will do the most learning then as much as they were in school

oh and they are all idiots...by default..non-negotiable

I agree with that 100%...geez you should see people talking about how they wanna get drunk and screw the nearest thing to them...I hope it's a blender.

For me, they should now to be themselves, to not tolerate bullying, make friends that are true.

Thats all for life, for academic.

Maths: Basic use. (Plus, Minus, times and dividing...I hate maths)
Music: Optional.
PE: Healthy...but not a bulk of muscle
Science: Basic use.
History: Sure, people must know about their own origin.
English: ...if you speak English I see why not.
Computing/AIT/Whatever: yeah people these days need to now how technology works, otherwise what will happen if they don't know crap in the future?)

Really I could say more but...meh.

 

[bobmus]

More emphasis on forced sports - if we make them exercise they'll be fitter, whether they like it or not.

More Religious Studies and Citizenship - ignorance is what breeds hate, so teach a wide variety.

You should not be able to graduate until you can pass GCSE English and Maths (or country-equivalent)

 

[Esotera]

Science, maths, up to around A-level standard. Classical history should also definitely be on the list, and I'd add a basic programming course, entirely scrapping ICT in favour of a System Administration course. Everything else would remain the same.

 

[JoJo]

I'd keep most of the same curriculum as the UK has now but broaden what's covered in history outside of the few pet topics (Slavery, Tudors, World Wars) which seem to come up again and again. I'd also make ICT more practical, less making Word documents and more knowing how to avoid viruses and the useful but more obscure functions on a computer. Finally I'd introduce a stronger politics element into the Citizenship lesson, teaching how the government works and also the different kinds of ideology is an unbiased way. I feel the last one is important because a lot of people have a very caricaturised view of political movements like feminism and secularism, and there's some terms which are confusing: the difference between a fiscal conservative and a social conservative for example, or a socialist and a national socialist.

 

[Rastien]

Things that every school leaver should know?

The world is a harsh fucking place and unless you have parents to live off you are gonna struggle.

Your going to keep getting shat on from a great height but heres the deal when you get a stable job and your own place, you are free. Until then? enjoy the next years of shit.

Oh unless you go to uni, but thats a bone of contention with me anyway x)

 

[PsychicTaco115]

As someone who is leaving high school next year, I feel like I should pay close attention to this thread.

I agree with those who say programming. I (personally) think that some more emphasis on current events/politics would be nice, considering how much politics can govern people's lives

 

[bluepilot]

They should learn that life is really crappy but kind of okay. All of the things that you will throw away aged 13 to 18 in exchange for growing up and hopes and dreams will be embraced like old friends after you pass age 22. It us the small things that matter and so when you are in your mid-twenties you will celebrate an interview success by buying yourself a pikachu watch. Growing older means getting more money and embracing childhood all over again. whether this will be done by creating your own offspring or filling your room with plushies, it is the same kind of idea. Very few movies and tv shows that you see in your adult life will appeal to you, but you will watch the old shows again and again and again.

It is never about what you know but how you use that knowledge. Thus two people from the same background and with the same education will go on to have two very lives

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

Wait in other countries you get to pick what classes you take in high school?

Sigh... America is really starting to bum me out.

 

[DoPo]

Here's my interpretation - there is a set of core subjects with some optional possibilities to expand if there is interest in it. Some subjects are entirely optional. The students will need to take a set minimum of optional subjects each year. This should allow freedom to pursue something more interesting and meaningful rather than a hodgepodge of whatever is taught in that school.

Native Language - spelling punctuation, proper use, that sort of thing. (Optional) Extended - drills into linguistics for those interested.

Literature - basic writing, basic text analysis. (Optional) Advanced writing - creative writing and similar are covered. Want to become a poet or a journalist, this would help you. (Optional) Advanced classical literature - read your country's greatest poets, discuss the works of the biggest authors, analyse written work. In more depth than normal Literature.
Also, for this - have more essays. I wanted to write essays but I've beet thoroughly fucked repeatedly because we didn't get to do them. Instead we had all those analysis things that were utter bullshit - we had to stick to what a random dude (a.k.a. a critic) pulled out of their ass and any alternative interpretation was shouted down figuratively by giving you bad marks. Give students more freedom. Penalise them if they are being stupid, not if they don't agree with somebody else (or didn't mention them).

Mathematics - what people will need. OK, slightly more than multiplication. Touch upon more advanced concepts but don't require a deep understanding of them. Teach students to be able to learn how to solve problems, rather than be human calculators, so have them look up the formula, if needed, but teach them how use the formulas and how to understand the meaning behind them (if needed). (Optional) Advanced Maths - expand on the higher concepts and maths in general.

Foreign language - a choice of one. Because why not? For non-English speakers, English might be a boon (or not, or maybe they'd like German or something else) for English speakers - english is not exclusive, try something new.

(Optional) A second foreign language.

Biology - probably a subject for 1-3 years. Basic biology, how living things live, most important functions and that sort of thing. (Optional) Advanced biology - this will follow after the basic one and would further expand on things that would be of use to people looking for a degree in medicine, biochemistry, etc - anything that would actually use biology.

Chemistry - see above, substitute things as appropriate.

Physics - see above, substitute things as appropriate.

Geography - see above, substitute things as appropriate.

History - see above, substitute things as appropriate.

Computing/IT - how to operate a PC not like a moron. Proper terminology ("browser" rather than "my Internet") and that. (Optional) Advanced computing - a programming course and a somewhat basic administration.

Citizenship - hadn't heard of that subject but it's nice, I suppose.

Health education - how to help a person in need or at least don't worsen their condition. First aid.

(Optional) Physical Education - but it would be somewhat more intense.

(Optional) Philosophy/ethics

(Optional) Theology (or a religion?)

(Optional) Psychology

(Optional) Astronomy (if it doesn't fall under physics)

(Optional) Arts

(Optional) Music