In preparing a teenager for life, understanding the physical nature of things – by taking classes in woodworking, metalwork, Electrical shop, etc. – can better prepare that student for the “real world”.
It will also expose students to fields that they may not have an interest in, but will be valuable in their future.
There is no question that Many will find it boring or not germane to their lives, but how often do you use trigonometry in your daily life?
Since schools have cut shop and industrial arts from many of their curriculum’s, many graduates are compelled to learn everything from hanging a picture to building a deck from internet “how-to’s” or an orange vested clerk at a “Big Box” hardware store.
They really need to have some practical experience and understanding of tools, so that they can plan a project and see it safely to completion. Most important, when hiring a skilled handyman or contractor, they will have a better understanding of what they need, the actual work involved, and what it will cost.
I would love to see more schools with shops and courses in woodworking and basic home maintenance, but that is a factor of budget and the needs of the student population. We need more graduates who excel and basic math and have fluency in English, as well.
Why Don’t We Teach Life Skills in our Schools? – Huffington Post
I was fortunate to have parents who were educators. My mother was an art teacher in Brooklyn, at the Ovington School, PS 176, and my Father taught Shop at Thomas Edison High School in Queens. This gave me a strong belief in the power of public education. I also learned that building more schools is much cheaper than building more jails, in the long run.
I hope my opinion and the other items I presented give you the basics to form an educated and informed opinion.
