Many students feel like what they are learning at school will not be useful after they are out of school. High schools should focus more on teaching students how to be self-sufficient after they graduate. I asked a student at Belleville High School who wants to remain anonymous if he feels like their classes will benefit him in the future, and he told me, “I feel like most of the things I learn at school I won’t use after graduation.”
I know my friend is not the only person who feels this way about school. The Yale Child Study Center surveyed 21,678 students all across the US about how they feel about school, and 75% of students had negative feelings about school. Mostly relating to its purpose. Is school really that purposeful for the average, modern student?
High school students often find it difficult to stay engaged when they are required to learn subjects that feel disconnected from real life. Integrating practical lessons on topics like taxes, credit scores, and financial management could greatly enhance their interest and participation. These skills are directly applicable to their future, providing them with a sense of purpose and relevance in their education. Learning how to file taxes, understand credit scores, and build credit responsibly would not only make school feel more valuable but also equip students with the knowledge needed for financial independence and success. By focusing on practical life skills, schools can bridge the gap between education and real-world readiness, creating more motivation and a proactive attitude toward learning in students.
Some people may disagree and say that parents should teach these skills to their children and school should be for studies, but I disagree. According to the Government Accountability Office, “Each year, 90% of people file their taxes using commercial software.” Most parents don’t know how to file their taxes themselves, which means they can’t teach their children if they’ve never learned how to. If schools were supposed to teach students how to read, write, do math, etc., the literacy rate in adults would be higher. According to a study done by the National Literacy Institute, “54% of adults have a literacy below a 6th-grade level (20% are below a 5th-grade level).” This shows that one of the core focuses of school that students work on every day all 13 years of school is a skill that students are not retaining. If schools were effectively teaching their core topics, the retention of this information among adults would be higher. I think schools could increase retention of these core skills by making them applied studies classes and using real-world topics to teach skills like math and reading.
You should check out this short interview with Mrs. Romak, the Career Tech Education Director at Belleville High School. She explains what the CTE programs are, and how they have increased engagement in students. CTE programs provide students with real-world skills and workplace experience and opportunities to prepare students for their future career pathway.
