Many high school students learn how to apply the pythagorean theorem to a right triangle, but how many students know how to administer first aide to an injured leg? Schools value core subjects such as English, science, math and history over courses such as educational fitness, art, and health. This misplaced value is evident when comparing the disproportion in credits assigned to each subject. Students are taught that core classes are more essential than extracurriculars which has resulted in detrimental effects.
Art and music classes have made their way to the sidelines. The city education department is partially at fault for this trend. Standardized testing is only required for the core subjects, encouraging students to devote more time to their math assessments and English essays. This unequal distribution of standardized testing reduces the importance of the arts in the eyes of students.
Of the underappreciated classes, health and physical education are needed more than ever. As the obesity rates in the United States rises, the importance of health increases exponentially. According to CNBC, the world’s leading cause of death is heart disease. How many people in the street would know what to do in case of heart failure? To better prepare students for the real world, schools should incorporate more classes that deal with life skills, such as CPR, first aide, comprehensive sexual education, economics, business etiquette, and home economics.
The Daily Mail reported, “One in 3 university students can’t even boil an egg.” The increase in standardized learning has lead to the prominent lack of preparedness for adulthood. Students do not have the ability to cook, or clean for themselves, rather 45% of college graduates move back in with their parents, according to The Atlantic. The problematic push towards standardized education has disabled graduates, deterring their ability to live independently.
Adding classes that prepare students for basic independent life teach students what they need to thrive.