While traditional classes are important, most high school students don’t use the skills taught in core classes after high school. Because of this, high school classes should be more career-focused because it increases student preparedness, student agency, and student engagement.
Career-focused classes prepare students for life after high school. According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, only 37% of prime-age workers, meaning ages 25-54, actually use Algebra two or higher in their daily jobs. The time spent memorizing formulas and concepts in these advanced classes could be used to teach students important life skills, such as financial literacy instead.
Legislators are weary of change. Traditional core classes don’t have to be completely abolished; however, students should have the option to take classes that benefit them and their future endeavors. For example, I want to be a pediatrician; therefore, taking human anatomy and biological sciences would be more beneficial for me than a literature class.
Career-concentrated schedules also will improve student agency. Students learn valuable skills needed to succeed post-graduation, such as the basics of taxes and insurance in career preparation. When students learn these skills in high school, it will be easier to apply them when they are on their own in high school instead of waiting until college.
According to the Association for Career and Technical Education, the average high school graduation rate for students who concentrate in Career and Technical Education is about 94% compared to the national average of 86%. By limiting students to only have career-focused classes as an elective, schools are not accurately preparing students for their futures.
Allowing students to choose more career-focused classes will increase student engagement. According to the Journal of Career and Technical Education, students who have a high Career-concentrated schedule have higher attendance rates than students who do not. Student engagement directly correlates to student attendance. Attendance is the biggest factor in the success of a student.
Traditional classes such as math, science, english and social studies are still important but within the context of high school, career preparedness is superior. As research continues to prove that career-focused classes are more beneficial compared to traditional classes, Legislators should take note and consider restructuring curriculums. High school students should have more opportunities to take career-focused classes.
