LogFAQs > #890695431

IceDragon77 posted...

I think teaching the basics is fine, that's what elementary school is for. Do I need to know in detail about anicent egyptian agriculture? Nope.

Math is still basic all the way through 12th grade. I distinctly remember having to tutor a 10th grader on algebra and calculus, and she wasn't particularly dumb. And seriously, how many people do you know who actually understand statistics? The Monty Hall problem gives a pretty simple look at how math can help inform even simple-seeming choices.

Egyptian history is interesting and relevant. They managed to grow great and powerful by putting nearly all of their industry along the Nile River. As it would flood yearly and deposit sediment along the banks, the soil was extremely rich for agriculture. These basic principles are still true today. Many many many cities today are on riverbanks, having learned from the past.

But, okay, maybe you specifically aren't ever going to need to understand how agriculture changes everything. That's why we say that the smart kids will use it and the rest won't. Since we don't know ahead of time which kids are even going to be able to meaningfully contribute to society, we've found (through rigorous testing over the course of forever) that giving everyone access to this knowledge creates the best forward progress for society as a whole. Because a ton of people use that information.

Also, most places allow students to drop out of high school. If high school just really isn't for someone, and their guardian agrees, then they don't have to "waste their time".
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One day dude, I'm just gonna get off the bus, and I'm gonna run in the woods and never come back, and when I come back I'm gonna be the knife master!
-The Rev