I have been thinking long a lot about education lately and how we could make it more beneficial for all students and not with just college bound focus.
Most students who are college bound have a complete full schedule of classes all through their senior year some even go to running start or take AP courses but what about those who want to become a tradesperson. They end up barely attending or just take filler classes their senior year. What if we gave them what we all say we want education to be is something they can and will use later in life. Real life math and science instead of calculus. I have some suggested courses below, as you can see the courses would be very helpful for students later in life such as personal finances, I am sure they would remember how to calculate compound interest and have it way more useful than trigonometry. This is what adults and children have been asking for something useful, something relevant to everyday life and my high school courses for the tradespeople would offer just that, what do you think?
They could even complete internships just as college bound students could take running start.
Applied geometry
Where a student would be able to read and make a blueprint that includes curves.
The student would be able to use cad key or design software.
Personal finance
Including chapters on stock markets and other investments as well as balancing budgets filling out loans and understanding them.
What is compound interest and how do I calculate it?
Applied Biology / health
How to take care of a garden or yard in all types of weather?
What plants grow where or need what?
First Aid and cpr
How does a wound get infected how do I prevent it?
What do I do if my kid is throwing up?
When do I call a doctor or 911?
How to treat a simple skin rash or abrasion?
Why do people seem to slow down as they age?
What is menopause and why is my mom going through it (remember you teach what puberty is why not teach how puberty ends)
How to take care of my skin and what products are bad for aging?
What do I look for when reading the ingredients?
Basic biology of pets when to take them to the vet.
Do I need to brush my pets teeth?
Real Life PE
How to develop a personal exercise routine when working 9-5?
What do I need to do pre and post workout?
If I climb a mountain or play basketball with my friends how do I keep in shape?
Applied chemistry
What happens when paint is mixed with?
What makes paint, lotions, make up, soaps,or caulk?
What are the chemical properties of cement?
The ph of soil, pool, ocean or drinking water and how can we change it for safety and food production.
Repair
A chapter on repairing wood
A chapter on repairing electrical equipment
What is a level and how do I use that silly bubble.
Advanced Office
How do I really use excel formulas
How can I make cards and books rather then just a simple essay.
Applied English
Blogging, reporting and communication in modern age.
How do I write basic legal policies for business operations so I don’t get in trouble as an employer of under 10 people.
Small business operations
How do I become an LLC
Where do I get financing
Why do most small businesses fail?
How to lead a group of people?
How do I set up payroll?
Math towards college
Algebra 1
Algebra 2/Trig
Geometry
Pre calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Math towards tradesperson
Algebra
Applied Geometry
Personal finance
Business finance
World finance (optional for global business entrepreneurs and government hopefuls)
Science for college
Geology
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Science for Tradeperson
Applied chemistry
Applied biology
Applied physics
Applied technology
Instead of the SAT/ACT there would be a senior project that would be presented in front of a panel of teachers/professionals that would be similar to a press briefing or shareholder/investor presentation.
Basically if you were a tradesman instead of a college scientist how would you approach this problem and what education brought you there? That would be in the new high school education reformation.
penaugural 