Florida Bill To Have High Schoolers Declare a Major

[Toby'sFriend]

I'll try to keep an open mind. Somebody please explain to me.... how this could POSSIBLY be a good idea? Good Lord I had a hard enough time picking a College Major. Why track kids this early?

Fla. may require high schoolers to pick major

Associated Press
Mar. 23, 2006 12:00 AM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - "What's your major?" College students are used to the question, but Florida high school students may be having to answer it, too.

Experts say a proposal from Gov. Jeb Bush would make Florida the first state to require incoming high school freshmen to declare majors, just like college students.

Bush said the plan would help prepare students better for the real world and reduce the dropout rate by making school more interesting.
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Some educators support the plan, while others fear it would deprive students of a broad liberal- arts education and put even more pressure on young people.

Under Florida's plan, high school students would be able to major in such subjects as English, communications, math, science, history, social studies, arts, foreign languages and vocational skills. They would also have to declare a minor.

The plan goes before the state House for a final vote today and then would have to be approved in the Senate.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

This state. Hmm and now I know what my DD has been going on about, and her obsession with what HIGH SCHOOL she is going to for the classes she wants to take. I think there are all ready three track to choose from, but this seems a bit much. Aren't they supposed to be building a base for college (those who are on the college track) not all ready specializing in something??!!??!!

 

[Brianne]

I have a lot of concerns about this idea as well. It's well & good for those students who do have an idea; however, even those kids have a tendency to change their minds. My DH is a prime example of that---he works in a field nowhere near what his original college major was & yet loves it.

To expect an incoming high freshman to know what they want to do is a bit ridiculous. I mean, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up!

I think if they offered it as an option, then fine. I'd be ok with it. Mandatory though? No.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

yes, that is my thing.

My son is now finishing his Sophomore year in High School. As an incoming Freshman let's see -- he wanted to be a Rock Star. Then he wanted to be a Veteranarian. Then he got tired of doing his homework and declared he was just going to work at McDonalds forever. He wanted to be a Social Worker. Then he wanted to get a PhD in History and teach in England because they have really cool accents over there. I think he had a couple of weeks where he was going to be a Sports Writer and get to go to the World Series and Super Bowl for free. Right now on his MySpace page it says he wants to be a teacher.

I can't imagine what the State of Florida would do with him. I think the Guidance Counsellor would get awfully tired of filling out all those "Change of Major" forms.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

DD is on an attorney kick, which is a change from the pediatrician kick (she has decided she doesn't like blood and needles, duh she has NEVER liked blood and needles). She hasn't changed her mind too often yet, but she's still only 14. DS is 13 and has decided he doesn't want to go to college and wants to get his CDL and drive a big rig. KIDS.

 

[Mr. Silly]

I'll try to keep an open mind. Somebody please explain to me.... how this could POSSIBLY be a good idea? Good Lord I had a hard enough time picking a College Major. Why track kids this early?

There's a reason why a broad education with an encouragement in critical thinking skills is called a liberal education. Some adherents of governing philosophies (no parties mentioned) would be as pleased as punch to do away with anything like a broadly educated populace with an understanding of our history and government. That way they can get away with saying patently false things like 'The United States is a Christian Nation,' or eroding away our constitutional rights without the public responding as an enlightened democracy and throwing the anti-American bums out of office.

To anyone who has been deluded into believing the 'Christian Nation,' trope I always like to point to our presidents who weren't Christians: Washington (Deist), Jefferson(Deist), Madison (a Deist though he later converted when he was a bitter old man), Monroe (Deist), Lincoln, and perhaps others. And also note that Article 11 of the Treaty with Tripoli declares in part that "the government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion..." This was written under Washington and ratified under Adams.

 

[2TxAgs]

When I lived in Europe 30+ yrs ago, the students in Germany were required to pick a 'track' upon entering HS. Either technical/college, or manual/non-college.

Not to say this is good or bad, but it is not new. Maybe the poor comparison between American educated kids and other countries children is that they hone in and focus on the childs strengths and interests, and don't worry so much about a 'liberal arts across-the-board' curriculum for everyone. If you think you want pre-med, what's the point in taking high school Japanese?

Should high schools focus on preparing you for college, or exposing you to lots of different ideas? Do we want to compete globally, or have a bunch of kids who know a little about lots of things and not enough about any one thing?

Why do 4th graders in Texas spend A WHOLE YEAR learning Texas history, but can't tell you where Europe is on a globe?

Am I rambling?????

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Tracks are one thing. Here we have college, business and vocational tracks. That I can deal with. When you are picking english, communications, math, etc. that I have an issue with. This is supposed to be your basis for college.

As for this being the dumbing down of America, I don't agree with that either.

 

[jodifla]

This would have been fine for me, since I knew what I wanted to be since I was 14 years old. (Funny enough, my DH knew about the same time what profession he wanted....and we both picked the same profession.)

But for a lot of kids, they just have know clue. I think it's way too much pressure too early in life.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Why do 4th graders in Texas spend A WHOLE YEAR learning Texas history, but can't tell you where Europe is on a globe?

The same reason that the 4th graders here in FLORIDA have to know everything there is to know about Ponce DeLeon
(must be a Southern thang!!! )

 

[Toby'sFriend]

If you think you want pre-med, what's the point in taking high school Japanese?

That's great for the kid who wants Pre-Med, although I'm pretty sure nearly every college in America right now wants to see at least 2 years of a Foreign language on the High School Transcripts. So what are we going to do with all those silly 15 year olds out there who don't have a clue if they want Pre-Med or Beauty School? Give them the "it's time to grow up!!!" lecture?

Personally, I don't think it is the job of High School to prepare a kid for College or for a job. I think it is the job of High School to prepare a kid for LIFE....which requires the ability to think critically, know how to learn new knowlege and skills, be able to decide between right and wrong, manage your finances, and yeah the ability to find Europe on a map is helpful at times.

I've been to college. A smart well-rounded student who didn't study the Pythagorean theorem in High School will most likely open up a book and catch-up really quick. A student who has no idea how to organize their thoughts, research information, communicate with their peers and their teachers (orally and in the writing), budget their time, and know how to determine what is important to give it priority will fail. Those are the skills that should be taught better in High School if you want sucessful college students.

 

[C.Ann]

It's ridiculous.. Most 17 yr. olds still don't know what they want to major in, let alone high school freshmen..

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

Good luck with that! My college freshman has changed her major already! And she was sure what she wanted to be when she finished college!!

 

[babytrees]

That's great for the kid who wants Pre-Med, although I'm pretty sure nearly every college in America right now wants to see at least 2 years of a Foreign language on the High School Transcripts. So what are we going to do with all those silly 15 year olds out there who don't have a clue if they want Pre-Med or Beauty School? Give them the "it's time to grow up!!!" lecture?

Personally, I don't think it is the job of High School to prepare a kid for College or for a job. I think it is the job of High School to prepare a kid for LIFE....which requires the ability to think critically, know how to learn new knowlege and skills, be able to decide between right and wrong, manage your finances, and yeah the ability to find Europe on a map is helpful at times.

I've been to college. A smart well-rounded student who didn't study the Pythagorean theorem in High School will most likely open up a book and catch-up really quick. A student who has no idea how to organize their thoughts, research information, communicate with their peers and their teachers (orally and in the writing), budget their time, and know how to determine what is important to give it priority will fail. Those are the skills that should be taught better in High School if you want sucessful college students.

Amen!!!
Colorado 4 year colleges have just set new admission standards for kids that are now entering their freshman year in HS to include 3 years of Math above algebra or its equivilant and 2 years of a world language. My biggest peeve with this is the math standard. There are a bunch of bright, bright kids who may not be admitted into college because they stink at math. The other admission standards give a bit of wiggle room for having to repeat or not living up to their potential...this one not so much. I love math but the only reason I passed geometry was the teacher liked me.....math and geometry are two different universes!!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I agree that it makes no sense. My son is going to HS next year. I just asked him what he was planning his college major to be & he said, "I don't know. Why do I need to know now?" Good question!!! He has already chosen a "track", which isn't anything new to us US either. Also, he's already signed up for Honors classes. Having to choose between the core subjects is taking things too far. I personally think HS should be preparing kids for college, but it should be in a variety of areas. IMHO, the core subjects should always be mandatory. It's not uncommon for college students to change their majors multiple times. Now, they're supposed to know 4 years sooner?

However, I don't think kids should be forced to take liberal arts classes, when they know they don't want a career in those fields. For some kids that does seem like wasted time that could be spent learning something else. The only problem with that is that many of the tests favor creative minds. They can't have it both ways.

Toby's Friend is correct about kids needing 2 foreign language credits for college. Unless I'm missing something, this bill just doesn't make any sense at all.

 

[RitaZ.]

If you think you want pre-med, what's the point in taking high school Japanese?

This is a college requirement, that is the point. If a student doesn't complete the two years of a foreign language in high school, he/she will have to complete the credits in college.

I think this bill is an attempt to increase the high school graduation rate in our state, which for many years has been the lowest in the nation. This is a desperate attempt, IMO. I hope it won't deter even more students from pursuing a college education, I always worry about that.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't understand how requiring a high school major will increase the graduation rate in Florida. Won't it just add even more pressure?

Besides the reality is that not every kid wants to or can go to college. I would urge anyone to go if they can but preparing all kids for college seems counterproductive in many ways.

 

[Talking Hands]

The same reason that the 4th graders here in FLORIDA have to know everything there is to know about Ponce DeLeon
(must be a Southern thang!!! )

May because that isn't in the ciriculum until 5th grade.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I don't understand how requiring a high school major will increase the graduation rate in Florida. Won't it just add even more pressure?

Besides the reality is that not every kid wants to or can go to college. I would urge anyone to go if they can but preparing all kids for college seems counterproductive in many ways.

I don't see how it would make a difference either. The kids at our HS, & I assume all of them in FL, have several choices to choose from now. They can choose tech. school, entering the work force, military, etc. This is supposed to keep more of them in school. I doubt they would change things for those kids. Then again, you never know.

 

[Talking Hands]

This is ridiculous. If a student is focused enough to have a career interest as an eigth grader then there are magnet schools they can apply for that focus on that interrest without giving up a liberal education. Often requires summer school but these kids are willing to give up there summers to be able to have extra time with their interest. If they don't have that focus then liberal education is what they need to help them decide what they want to do "when they grow up". Core subject remain the same no matter what and that is where the kids are bored silly.