One can argue that the purpose of the United States schooling organization is to prepare the student for life, to give them the skills that are necessary to survive in the modern world. One can also argue, that the current school system is not serving it's intended purpose. Although I may seem hypocritical, for the education and vocabulary that I hold is from the very same organization that I criticize, it does not affect the reality of the situation. The actual schooling hardware is perfectly suited for the new times, yet the curriculum is designed for a generation ago. As of today, a student is taught to follow guided paths, to only go where others have gone before. It is a very static characteristic in a dynamic world. When any true creativity is presented, the student is rebuked, and "loses points", as if it is the end of their assured careers. Although these tactics could, thirty years ago, propel a person towards a well paying secure job, but unfortunately, the time is not thirty years ago. The time is dawning on a new millennium, and those poor tactics are only going to propel a person towards financial doom. The person may know how to write a well doctored five paragraph essay, but they will have a first grade education in the real world. The real world has no use for five paragraph essays, the world is full of an incredible amount of jobs that are needed, but are not presented in high school. For example, any business, new or experienced has the need for computer programmers, but what does high school offer? Ooooh, typing skills, basic, and can you believe it!?! They even have C++!! Maybe that person who was educated to high school's standards can write a five paragraph essays for the programmers who were adept enough to realize the plight that this country is in, because they will be the only ones with power and security. (Pardon the sarcasm, but that is exactly the feeling that is held at this time). If anything is to be done about the situation, the school needs to have applied courses that can and will help the student to prepare for life, not the fairy world that the school has so cunningly wrapped around its base. I encourage others reading this opinion to take up learning for themselves. Don't put your life in the hands of a dillusioned organization. Take matters into your own hands, and begin a life that you are prepared for. Thank you for taking the time to read this baised opinion.
-Travis Tidball
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