What subjects should be mandatory in schools?

[Nikki1989]

[msmissydc]

All of the above. For some things make it only basics with a free choice to deepen in an advance course.
E. G. Coding: make sure they know basic things like an if clause etc. Learning a specific coding language that could be dead when they could use the knowledge the first time for a job years later should be optional.
Or car mechanic. Learn them what is generally safe to do and how to find errors easy. Learn them things like tyre change. Knowing how to repair something specific is nothing the general student will ever need.
Identifying an error can already safe you a lot of money.
The problem is: you also need teachers for all of that. I Was lucky I had a physic teacher who bassically gave life lessons during his classes. There was not a single course that today gave me more usefull knowledge than his physic classes.
Would I trust my English teacher, teaching anything else than languages, and literature? NO! Her choice of required reading was, while I hated in in school, something I valued so much that I hated myself for hating it at the time. Some things I would consuder essential readings OR things that helped me tramendously later.

One thing I would add to the list: scientific research and fact based arguments. Yes it may have been indirectly said somewhere but learning it specifically can be one of the best tools you can learn. It helps you learn everything else!! That is the most usefull part about it by far. Learning to learn, in a broader sense, should be essential knowledge for everyone.

[slatyb]

Cars are going electric. There's nothing to maintain besides tires and brakes. Home auto maintenance has been over for about fifty years except for hobbyists. Change your own oil to save $25? little. Then you have to dispose of the waste oil we without spilling it on the garage floor or worse.

[mandyfire98]

Oh definitely social etiquette and just socialization in general. I feel more and more people are having a harder time socializing in the past couple of years.

Personal finance would be great.

[caring__1]

There is one subject I've actually offered to go into schools and teach at no cost. The counselors were all for it, but it had to be approved by the principal. I never found a principal who felt my offer even deserved a response. That subject is effective communication skills. Without a clear knowledge of basic effective communication skills, people just end up copying the dysfunctional communication we hear all around us. Rather than learn what works, people tend to just push harder when it doesn't work.

Communication skills are easy to learn, though it can be challenging to change established patterns. That's the reason, learning them early can be so helpful. What tends to be most challenging for most people is learning to be observant. If all we focus on is what's going on inside of us, we only teach others to be as self-absorbed as we are. Though we feel entitled to be self-absorbed, we don't like when others are self-absorbed. Just look at all the people who insist on being heard, while you rarely hear of people eager to see things through the eyes of others.

Taking the time to learn effective communication skills will help in all aspects of life... relationships, career, parenting, and just accomplishing what you wish to accomplish in life.

[MikeTheBartender]

All of the above except coding.

[Nikki1989]

I agree.

[slatyb]

Coding is a creative activity and experience indicates that most people find it very difficult to produce working code of any complexity. Its comparable to learning higher mathematics -- it can't be learned by memorizing a set of if A then do B rules. It's far less repetitive than almost any other activity.

[Summeroflove]

1. Mathematics: Helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

2. Language Arts: Teaches effective communication skills in reading, writing, and speaking.

3. Science: Provides an understanding of the natural world and fosters a curiosity for exploration and discovery.

4. Social Studies: Helps students understand and engage with historical events, social issues, and civic responsibility.

5. Physical Education: Promotes physical health, fitness, and overall well-being.

6. Health Education: Teaches students about healthy living practices, mental health, and substance abuse prevention.

7. Computer Science: Essential in today's digital age for understanding technology and cultivating computational thinking skills.

8. Financial Literacy: Teaches students about managing money, budgeting, investing, and other important financial skills.

9. Arts: Cultivates creativity, self-expression, and an appreciation for various forms of art.

10. Civics Education: Educates students about government structures, civic responsibilities, and democratic principles.

[Screenwriter]

In grammar school, reading, writing, math, geography, in 5th grade, sexual facts/health/hygiene, American history, art, music.

In high school, literature, American&World, American&World history, life skills that include cooking, basic home and car maintenance, home finances, sexual health and hygiene, art, music, basic swimming short course that includes drown-proofing (treading water, avoiding having a non swimmer try to drown you to save their own life, basic strokes). Options to take band, some sport, join various clubs/groups that interest the student and will flesh out their high school resume if they choose or seek to attend college.

[slatyb]

Car maintenance? When a car indicates that it needs service, have it done. That's it. Many high school students will never own a car, so cross that 9ff the list.

[Screenwriter]

@slatyb If you own an older car, as I do, it does not TELL YOU it needs maintenance. And also, the ones that do, often don't need maintenance at that precise moment. Changing oil every 3,000 miles, unless you're driving in an extremely dusty place or high highway miles, is unnecessary. However, if you have a new car and you don't keep that schedule, you may invalidate the warranty. I've never owned a new car, so I don't know about these details.

I don't know how many high school students will not own a car, but in the U. S. it's a general right of passage into adulthood with parents usually giving their child their older model, or buying them something used.

Knowing how to fill the tires with air, keep water and fluid levels correct, check the oil and put in antifreeze is all I"m talking about. Flat tires happen all the time. Batteries go dead because of a bad connection, people need jumps. These are basic car skills that are good to know. I've helped many people jump their batteries because I know which terminals to use and to ground one correctly. My former husband knew less about cars than I did when we were married. And even if you don't HAVE a car, you can help someone in a pinch who does have one and who has an issue. Life skills 101.

[slatyb]

That was then, this is now. There's little maintenance that can be done without highly specific tools. Brake pads! Sure, I used to change them for a track weekend and change them back. Took about 15 minutes a wheel. Oil changes? Sure, but it's a big mess and renters are mostly prohibited by their lease. The days of shade tree mechanics are long over.

[Screenwriter]

@slatyb Maybe where you live. Not in the South where I'm at. And there are lots of older cars around. I changed my oil on my 2005 all the time. It wasn't a big deal. I had it until 2020. I now have a 2006. A ratchet is not a highly specific tool, nor is a crescent wrench. You simply unscrew your old oil filter, grease the seal and put the new one on. Putting in a new air filter can be done by a 10 year old, as can pouring in the several quarts of fresh oil after you've drained ou the old, replaced the plug and taken the old oil to your nearby mechanic or service station. They get money for your used oil. I have a renter and there's nothing in my lease to prohibit him from changing his oil in front of the house. Maybe in giant rent villages this is prohibited. I live in a house and the renter occupies a rear apartment. I've lived in several such apartments in New Orleans. No one ever prevented me from working on my old 1995 Corolla, 2001 Corolla, and when I got this house my 2005 Corolla and 2006 Civic. It's true, newer cars have all kinds of tells for when you need to do maintenance and some

[Screenwriter]

make it very difficult to do your own work. There are workarounds in many cases. I like a car where I can do simple things. This auto (automatic) maintenance often forces you to take your car to dealer maintenance, which, unless you're in warranty, usually costs than smaller repair shops. And as I've said, since I've never owned a new car, I've never had a warranty or had to tote my car in for such maintenance...

I am of the ilk that do what you can AND what you like doing. Changing brake pads might be in your wheelhouse and you've enjoyed doing it. I enjoy changing my own oil. Makes me feel competent. It's not for everyone. But GENERAL knowledge about how your car works, about listening to how your car runs, about EXAMINING your car for low tire pressure, dirty oil, even if it's before your car tells you to change it, low brake and transmission fluid etc.. It's like owning a house. You don't HAVE to know how to nail a board or sand or paint or check for termites, but it sure helps if you see what's wrong first, and if you can address small problems...

[BCA6010]

The primary school system should be focused on preparing students to enter into the workforce and live on their own; not revolve almost entirely around college prep. Having said that...

Most of what gets taught in 12th grade should be thrown out.

Taxes should be part of a civics class that includes much of what's in a high school level economics and government class. Furthermore, the government class should include either a few weeks or a semester dedicated to state and local level.

Cooking, basic home repair, and personal finances should be one class.

Coding, public speaking, and self defense should be electives, if taught at all. Car maintenance and stress management don't need to be taught in schools.

[Fireguy17]

Life skills, personal finance, explain how a loan works, show them the big scary number that whatever is that they buy will actually cost them at the end of a loan.

Same with a credit cards, what they will pay in interest making the minimum payments, some cards are over 20%.

How to apply for a job, how to budget, how to do your taxes, save and invest for the future unless you want to work until you die.

Cooking, not shoving something in the microwave.

Basic car repair, hoe to chance a Tyre, check your oil.

Just how to survive on your own and be just fine.

[Babygirl_S]

Sex education should be compulsory in my country because I came to know about the actual meaning at the age of 17 through dictionary and internet. Imagine believing that kissing can impregnate you. I don't want the future generations to go through that.

A standard textbook of biology doesn't tell you how the sperms and ova actually meet! I remember asking my teacher and she said "there must be a process".

Under these circumstances, a person can't know if someone is sexually assaulting you and I feel devastated when I read about girls who didn't know they were being abused.

Additionally, even parents don't tell you! Bollywood only adds to the problems by showing that something as scary as rape is about being kissed.

Therefore, it should be mandatory to educate the students like in the Western countries where people usually learn sooner and are well-informed regarding this.

[IslaTheWitch]

I would a few:
stress management
solving conflicts
expressing emotions in an assertive way

I had mandatory cooking at school in the form of workshops. I'm a good cook (I assume, no one complained, all survived), but I hate it more than anything :D

[NathanDavis]

actually, learning... yes

and entire class in which you actually learn about how to learn, lol...

90% of the students I've tutored had all the same issue, they were not dumb... they were not lazy... they just had not been taught to learn in better ways

[slatyb]

Civics -- the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, historical Supreme Court cases,
Comprehensive sex education including the local laws regarding sex with or between minors
Science classes with a focus on the scientific method and why we believe current theories.

Every mandatory course should have a test students can take that exempts them from the class.

[slatyb]

Practical skills? Some students could benefit, but many will already have them. Taxes are very simple for most wage earners. For students not on a track to calculus, personal finance should be taught -- particularly the enormous cost of most consumer debt, and the high cost of low quality durable goods.

[exitseven]

There are a lot of things that kids pivmcked up outside the classroom like survival skills. We learned at an early age what can getcyou killed. We did things called chores that taught home maintenance. We learned self defense from older kids beating us out of our lunch money. it is sad to think these things have to be taught in a classroom

[Kabluie]

We didn't have personal finance, but my economics teacher in middle school had a guest banker come in every week to teach us the subject. I still remember him to this day, and was glad to get an account at his bank. It's a subject I feel some zoomers don't have a full grasp on today.

Public speaking or a speech class was in required at my college.

[DJB72]

Reading
Writing
Basic Arithmetic
How to grow food

Everything else is a distraction. Some subjects are off limits with my son and zero tolerance policy - his preschool is cool, but next year any teacher trying to "educate" him on "gender ideology" will find out why the Gen-X motto is "Fuck Around and Find Out"

[PhantomMenace22]

I don't see first aid instructions/basics on the list. Everyone should know how to perform a CPR; it can save lives. Traffic education is also important

[Davey88]

I would love to see a class where the teacher only set up a moral dilemma and student open a moral brain storm of thoughts.. but without any rating or evaluation.. only a free time without the stress of performance or idea of a unique way of reaction

[molonski2]

English ( which is obviously not taught well ) ..

The examples given , should be presented as electives and you pick 4or 5 , but the financial literacy option should be mandatory , the amount of people I see just squandering options , and poor use of money , these actions end up costing all of society , because they have NO , none whatsoever , financial literacy.

[syncheart]

When I was in school, I didn't have friends. Part of the problem was that everyone in my circle was bullies. The rest just ignored me. I feel that I would of benefited from a social etiquette class.

[SixFootSexy]

Taxes, personal finance, ego development, social etiquette, basic nutrition and cooking. These are all things people need to know to function in the world.

[MiddleAgedClimbee]

Going with coding, personal finance and public speaking. Worthy electives being car maintenance and taxes.

[MiddleAgedClimbee]

I feel like some of the other topics really should be covered by family, as well as being indirectly promoted by example. Self defense might be doable in school, depends on the school system and parental support

[OlderAndWiser]

English, history, science, math, reading, social studies.

[EmmaMary]

Over and above the usual/normal school/college curriculum... Human Biology and Sex Education.

[BoopBoopBeep]

Coding and public speaking I think could be optional, and that's coming from someone who's done both, but everything else up there I think should be covered.

[BLP11520]

Well what i was taught so much was a total waste. Little prepared me for how hard life really is.

[dolemite58]

basic finance and money management, it’s shocking how many adults don’t understand how a simple loan and interest works.

[LiamJHayden]

I like the list. Things that matter in real life.

[Sparkie460]

Honestly, I think all of the above should be taught in school, At least the basics

[Talea]

All the above except for self defence.

There is no such thing, you learn how to FIGHT, self-defence courses are BS.

You need to learn to fight, against people who are fighting back and giving you resistance.

[DannyUk2017]

Subject that should be mandatory in schools...🤔

Common Sense!

[Anonymous]

learn 1 skill which earn money

coding

foreign language

Communication and Networking

Martial arts and self-defense

financial literacy

hobbies: swimming /a music instrument/a sport

[Nice222]

Those are all good subjects. I I see a huge lack of personal Finance and Financial knowledge among people of all ages. And I think there needs to be more focus on this subject.

[negrl4a69]

English MATH HISTORY HOME ECONOMICS , RESPECT, MANNERS, RESPONSIBILTY

[Anonymous]

They aren’t going to teach personal finances, cause students would realize how demanding minimum wage increases will end up costing them more than they would gain.

[Anonymous]

If kids could manage to read, write and do math we should call it a win. There's really not much point in adding other subjects if those aren't working

[scooogy]

When first reading, I thought "everyone knows where Texas is 🤷‍♂️"

[Simslover92]

Definitely all of these.

[glennos89]

Learning how to manage personal finances

[Mansearching]

ALL THE ABOVE...

[Grond21]

Civics. Classical literature. Arithmetic.

[smahala1991]

All of these here.

[Iron_Man]

Taxes on your home property

[Darkest-Knight]

Taxes, Basic Home Repair, Personal Finance

[CubaPirate]

All of the above and then some

[Ameer99]

Public speaking

[overthinkergirl]

all of them

[Kelly6]

Personal finance and coding

[Beth1212]

Personal Finance

[the_sinner]

Financial planning, self protection, history.

[Taylor_C]

None of those

[Lookitsmadmax1994]

All of the above.

[Anonymous]

Personal finance.