In light of this talk of a new pilot program to add 300 hours to the school year that's happening in five states (New York included), I've been thinking about the education system that seems to be the root of so many problems here in the U.S. I'm not a teacher, I don't follow education and testing statistics, and all of my opinions on this subject are based on anecdotal evidence: my own personal experience, firsthand accounts from others, and whatever comes up in the news every so often. So I'm not an expert, but it seems fairly obvious that the education system is failing on just about all practical levels.
For one thing, I've always been skeptical of the things that are required curriculum in schools. I realize that societal advancement is an important thing, but not every student needs to learn chemistry, biology, trigonometry, ancient history, etc. Some subjects just aren't relevant for everyone. Maybe they're difficult to understand or uninteresting, and that doesn't need to be a problem. Everyone is different. But school curricula seem intent on turning every student into a jack of all trades, but a master of none. I even encountered this in college, where I was required to take certain electives in order to be "well-rounded."
If you ask me (and if you've read this far, you must be somewhat interested in my opinion on the matter), there are a few subjects that schools should really focus on. The first and foremost is literacy. Every single person should be able to read and write fluently. How can we expect anyone to be able to learn anything else without basic literacy? It baffles me that a person who knows the difference between "your" and "you're" is considered a "grammar nazi." The second is basic math. Things like arithmetic, percentages, fractions, simple geometry, and some practical applications. The third is introductory science, like what's taught prior to high school. This would include very basic concepts in the major fields of science: biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. The fourth is history, and again a general overview would be sufficient, to give an idea of where humanity as been and how we got where we are today.
I just don't understand the notion that everyone needs to sit in a classroom for several hours a day, every day for 12 years. Or the notion that everyone needs to go to college. Given that we live in a world with tons of highly accessible resources, we take schooling to the extreme. It's inefficient. People aren't being prepared to live in the world by learning real skills. There are no classes that teach how to balance a check book, what to expect when applying for a car loan, how to fill out a tax form, or how to change a flat tire.
So really, I doubt 300 more hours per year of the same thing is going to solve anything.
