When Dr. Oliver began discussing his displeasure in the push for all children to go to college a spark ignited my attention. He said that he wanted to prepare all students for their own paths, whether that be college after high school or going straight into a career after graduation. Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) courses are listed as a Career and Technical Education courses. They are listed as such because a huge part of FCS is exploring careers and colleges that fit with the students. Even Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) encourages professional development for both students and teachers through FCS. If policy makers could understand all that FCS courses provide to students maybe they would put into effect a policy that requires all high school students to take at least a few of them. If nothing else the Career Exploration course should be required for all freshmen or sophomores. That one course alone has students explore careers and colleges in order to plan a pathway to their future. Isn't that exactly what Dr. Oliver said he wanted? Students who are planning and preparing for their future should be the entire goal of the education system. Teachers in all subjects claim that their classes are important, but if we truly want students to be prepared for adulthood wouldn't it make sense that we encourage courses that teach life skills? How many young adults go to college without knowing how to even do their laundry or cook for themselves? How many adults live off of fast food and "Hamburger Helper" style meals? It is almost comical that we wonder why childhood obesity is at an all-time high and self-esteem is at record lows. The education system has practically suffocated children with the pressure to be a "good student," encouraging higher math and reading scores on standardized tests it is no wonder so many children are cracking under the pressure. Even teachers are cracking under the pressure. Courses and programs are being cut from schools all across the nation and they are not college prep courses. All kinds of arts programs and practical courses are being removed from our schools. Even programs that teach computer skills are being cut in some states. Colleen Flaherty's article focuses mainly on the cutting of music and other arts programs, but many of her statements ring true for the protection of all school programs. Throughout the article many teachers are quoted as stating how important a well-rounded education is for all students, and budget cuts threaten any chance of quality, well-rounded education.
Most of what I know about our country's education system has been gathered throughout my time at Ball State University, but the following video does such a great job at summing everything up and explaining it in a common sense manner. Basically, the education system in our country needs to be altered or our students will never be able to succeed.
Please take some time to watch this presentation about the education system.
After watching the video of Sir Ken Roberts views of the education system my belief in the importance of FCS has increased ten-fold. Yes, some FCS courses can be delivered in a way that students would consider boring, but most of the time students in these courses come alive and experience such opportunities that they are learning and developing in ways that amaze even the students themselves.
Welcome to my first ever blog. This blog is for my EDTE 470 class at Ball State University, which is a Policy and Ethics in Educational Technology class.
