What They Need to Know
What should education prepare students for?
Time was that teaching children the 3 R’s—reading, writing, and arithmetic was enough to get them through life. That was over 200 years ago, when all one really needed to know was how to raise crops and care for animals.1
With the industrial revolution, people were needed in factories, on the railroads and steamships, and on farms who understood how machines work. The three Rs weren’t enough and school systems added new subjects and expanded others to meet what they saw as the students’ needs.
People, many of them new immigrants, moved to crowded cities and school systems started teaching more about nutrition, hygiene, and sanitation.
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| 1894 Mansfield, Ohio grade school report card. Students were graded on Arithmetic, Geography, Language, Spelling, Reading, Writing, Drawing, Music, Physical Education, and German. |
The twentieth century brought more technology, new and faster forms of communication and transportation, and an international economy. The schools tried to offer more content to help students cope with a changing world.2
In the post-WWII world, consumers bought new appliances and automobiles, all of which needed people who could build, fix, and maintain them.
In just the past few years, computers have shrunk and moved out of science labs and accounting offices to where they are now part of ordinary people’s lives. The spread of computers increased the need for people who understand how they work.
Today, however, it just isn’t enough to know the 3Rs. Our schools must do a much bigger job of preparing people for the future.
What would you add?
Does everyone need to learn the same thing? Probably not, even if we could agree on what should be in that curriculum. Here are some examples of things that would improve the way young people manage their lives. You can probably think of some others.
Civics/History
This used to be a big part of every American child’s education, but we couldn’t agree on what exactly we want our children to know, so the topic has been watered down or eliminated. Understanding the importance of engaging in the democratic process and taking the time to really understand the issues (rather than relying on ignorant “influencers” should be part of everyone’s education. Reading up on issues is boring. So what? Superficial knowledge is much worse. People need to learn how to do research online that will produce competent, accurate information.
Geography/Earth Science
The weather forecast isn’t perfect, but if you don’t know the science behind climate and weather, how can you understand the impacts of global warming? If you don’t know where countries are on the earth, how can you understand where your food, your phone, or your bicycle came from? How can you understand a pandemic? Where do old clothes and phones end up? What kinds of things can people do that will really help the environment?
Biology
Everything, from how DNA works to theories of modern medicine and its limitations, needs to be taught. How small is a virus? Everyone needs to understand pregnancy, fertility, and gestation.3 They need to know about how drugs, alcohol, and tobacco affect the body. They should also have a much better understanding of aging and what happens to people as their bodies get older. Good biology life lessons also include recognizing and responding to mold, insect, and rodent infestations in one’s home. And, of course, everyone should know what to do if they encounter a wild animal.4
Economics/banking/debt
Financial literacy matters. Understanding how decisions by Americans about buying and selling affect people in other parts of the world makes people smarter consumers. Why are people shocked when they discover how much child-care costs? How can people decide if higher education is worth the money? How and why do you save for retirement? How much should you save and where should you save or invest your money? How does insurance work? When should someone pay for insurance? What is a credit score and how does it affect people? What is bankruptcy and how does it work? What are a tenant’s rights and responsibilities when he or she signs a lease?
Math/probability and statistics
Twelve out of nine doctors recommend taking a statistics course. People need to be able to read and understand opinion polls. 5
They need to avoid being deceived by the phony statistics advertisers use. Everyone should understand that you can’t give 110%. Having a .02% chance of getting sick does not mean you will fall ill. How do you understand the “ratings” on a website? What is a 100-year flood?
Law and the Political Process
Understanding the legal system takes more than watching “Law & Order.” What rights does the US Constitution NOT protect? What is meant by Due Process?Who really runs the government? How does Congress operate? What are the different types of taxes? What do judges do and how do they do it? What are Zoning Laws? How do people get elected? What happens when a person is arrested by the police?
Staying Safe and Staying Alive
The world is a dangerous place, especially for the young and inexperienced. Children need to learn what to do in emergencies. They should know basic first aid and what to do if someone is bleeding, choking [the Heimlich maneuver], or appears to be having a heart attack, how and when to call 9-1-1 for help.
People should know what to do if someone is bitten by a snake or has an allergic reaction to an insect sting.
Swimming lessons—at least “drown-proofing”—should be taught to everyone.
What should you do if the power goes out? What must you take if there is an emergency and you are ordered to evacuate?
I know this is not a popular idea, but I believe everyone should be taught how to handle a gun safely.
Other useful skills include knowing how to use power tools—big ones like lawnmowers, snow-throwers, etc., and smaller ones—electric saws, drills, and other shop tools.
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