We go to school until we are 18 and then college until 22 and beyond. We graduate with countless lessons in math, reading, grammar (never enough grammar!), history, science, language and other subjects. But here is what I think we are missing:

  1. People Skills – There is nothing more essential to livelihood than getting along with others. Without people skills, success is not likely in either work or family life. But what classes in school prepare us for that? Perhaps every day life events teach us some of this as we grow, but certainly not enough, in my opinion, to prepare us for the work force and for success with friendships, marriage and parenting.
  2. Career Counseling – Schools need to have regular visits from a diverse collection of people sharing details about their careers with students. Kids need to hear from small business owners, blue collar workers, executives and others about what exactly it is that they do, what education or training was required to do it and what they like or do not like about it.
  3. Bookkeeping – After 18 years of basic math, we are never really taught how to keep records, pay bills, balance budgets and prepare for taxes.
  4. Child Rearing – Why can’t high school age students be introduced to the challenges and realities of raising children? What is more important than being a parent?
  5. Etiquette – I’d be the last person on earth to put on heirs and require formalities, but it seems that our youth is lacking in manners. Why not teach beyond the basic please and thank you – in particular written thank you notes, kindness and compassion and sharing the road safely with other drivers.
  6. Nutrition and Fitness – Most schools no longer offer PE. Our kids eat yucky food in most cafeterias and buy junk out of vending machines. WE NEED TO TEACH THEM ABOUT STAYING HEALTHY. There are grave consequences for sedentary lives and eating high fat foods low in nutrition. Everyone needs rigorous exercise on a regular basis. We also need to make healthy food choices. There are no shortcuts to good health. If we start when they are young, kids will be more likely to stick to healthier ways.
  7. Basic Home Repair/Maintenance – A person can go to college for 12 years and still not know what to do if a minor emergency arises at his or her home. It is a shame that we generally have to learn about all that the hard way.

In addition to these life lessons, I have to add that we are gravely lacking in GEOGRAPHY skills. No one should graduate from high school without being able to identify the 50 states, the Great Lakes and point out our major cities.

I am sure I have left some important things out in my list, but it is a start anyway.

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