Florida Bill To Have High Schoolers Declare a Major

[Miss Jasmine]

From the original quoted article:



If there is any truth in that quote, then MORE classes in all categories would have to be offered than are offered now. If it were run as that quote says, they would have to come up with more classes - especially for the communications majors, arts-related majors (music, graphic arts, writing), and vocational-skills majors.

I don't see majoring in "professional sports". That must mean that if they cut anything, it would have to be the sports programs. I'm sure that will happen .

If you then read what another poster linked, you can see how things break down, how classes are substituted and such. I guarantee that arts won't be well attended as a major and those classes will be cut. Kids are going to be pushed toward the academic majors.

And you being from Texas should realize how important sports programs (especially football) are to the schools. But those are EXTRA-CURRICULAR and don't have anything to do with this.

 

[JudicialTyranny]

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.

Pardon me, but what the heck does this have to do with choosing a major in high school?

I saw no mention of religion at all - or do you just see an opportunity to spew your anti-Christian views?

 

[RitaZ.]

Depends where in florida from what I understand.

I can tell you that it's happening in my county, Broward, which is the largest fully accredited school district in the nation. The teachers are working their butts off. Parents are quick to voice their dissatisfaction around here. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and they make sure that get it.

People talk about the serious overcrowding issue, which I don't doubt exists in some schools. My younger children's school is under-enrolled this year. My 14 yr. old's MS was under-enrolled when he was in 6th grade, then the boundaries were changed, which balanced the enrollment numbers. His school has two brand new buildings & a brand new gymnasium. They have done the same improvements to the other middle school up the road. A new high school was built almost 2 years ago, which my son will attend next year.

As for salaries, I don't know what they are, so I can't comment on that.

Filling in with non-qualified people? Do you mean the teachers aren't degreed/certified or that they are teaching out of their field?

I think this is also a way to justifying the cutting of arts programs (band, choir, drama, graphic arts, etc.).

I really don't think that's the reason. I know that some people here on the DIS have talked about such programs being removed from their child's curriculum, but that hasn't happened to my kids. Also, there are charter schools that cater to children interested in the arts, some are very competitive programs to get into. The high school graduation rate is low in FL, something has to be done to increase those numbers. I think this is the main reason behind this proposal, but I don't know that to be fact.

I know that people love to bad mouth FL schools, which is fine if you've had first-hand experience in them. I'm a product of FL public schools and my 3 children are now enrolled in public schools. Public schools have come a long way since I was a student. My kids are receiving a far better education right now than my husband and I did years ago. Yes, the demands are greater (the FCAT, for instance), but so are the opportunities. I honestly can't complain about my children's schools. Overall, I'm very satisfied and I have high standards. We had some problems with one school, which were resolved with my determination and after receiving the Superintendent's help. Is it all perfect and wonderful? No, there are things that I don't believe in or agree with. Can they be better? Sure, I think that is what's behind Gov. Bush's proposal.

 

[KristaTX]

Kids are going to be pushed toward the academic majors.

Kids are already pushed toward academic/collegebound classes, so if that is the case nothing will change. There will still just be the motivated kids, the dropouts, and the ones left wandering (the majority). Perhaps it is this guess as to what could happen and the possible humongous waste of taxpayer money that has people against the plan. I don't live in Florida, and I'm not really on a side. But I saw this thread, and I just like to try to examine both sides of an issue. I see good points on both sides of this issue.

And you being from Texas should realize how important sports programs (especially football) are to the schools. But those are EXTRA-CURRICULAR and don't have anything to do with this.

I'm not sure what me being from Texas has to do with anything, and I can't tell for sure what you mean about the importance of sports to schools. I suppose it is important to the athletes, their parents, and the coaches, but not so much to the rest of the students, parents, and staff of the school. I'm not sure this has anything to do with this thread, but it is obvious that if all programs are looked at objectively, sports are just as expendable as music, art, etc. I used the roll-eyes smiley earlier on purpose because I know that as ridiculous as it is, some people would never ever ever consider getting rid of the sports programs. But they might consider getting rid of the arts .

Students here go to their sports classes during school hours, usually with additional hours put in before and/or after school as well. Just like with marching band. And here they get credit for sports classes and band, as far as I know. Maybe in Florida they don't and it all takes place during non-school hours.

 

[Feralpeg]

Don't they do something similar to this in the UK? I had a friend from the UK who said she was tested somewhere around the age of 13. Based on their scores, kids were routed different directions. There were those who went on to take classes that would prepare them for college. Other kids were given additional testing and then started vocational type training. I don't claim to know all of the particulars, but I don't know that I'm totally against this idea.

I don't know that I would want my child's future based totally on a standardized test. I'd certainly want her grades to be taken into consideration, but I do know that not all kids are cut out for college no matter how bad their parents want them to be.

I know I would have liked someone to help me decide what to do with my future when I was a kid. Maybe we wouldn't see so many kids finish college to do something totally different from their major. I consider all learning a good thing, but it is a shame that so many kids graduate from college and can't do anything with their degree.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

The FCAT is certainly demanding and takes up way too much classroom time teaching students HOW to take takes rather than learning the materials covered in the tests. And the grades assigned to schools are a joke. Not all A schools are equal.

Most of my schooling took place in Pennsylvania, when we moved down here my 10th grade year I recycled papers from my 9th grade year during that year and the 11th grade. I didn't make any changes and earner higher grades. Some things have improved and some things have declined. Performing arts have been secondary, I hated how band was treated here and I dropped out. I took lessons on my own. I was also involved in drama. I came from a program that was nearly professional to one that was just sad.

Our schools are overcrowded here because infrastructure has not kept up with development. Some teachers are not as qualified. There are different programs people can through to be able to teach. These people normally would not be qualified. The programs have been created to fill the gaps. The raises in this area have been dismal. And I live in the county that is the #1 job creating county in the COUNTRY (based on this year's Milkin report). We have one of the strongest economies.

I'm not saying the schools are horrid here but there is a lot of work to be done, and I don't think this is the way to go. It's going to be another thing that may sound good on paper (and really it doesn't sound that hot), but it's not going to work.

 

[RitaZ.]

I don't know that I would want my child's future based totally on a standardized test. I'd certainly want her grades to be taken into consideration, but I do know that not all kids are cut out for college no matter how bad their parents want them to be.

Are you referring to the FCAT? If so, colleges don't look at these scores when making admission decisions.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Kids are already pushed toward academic/collegebound classes, so if that is the case nothing will change. There will still just be the motivated kids, the dropouts, and the ones left wandering (the majority). Perhaps it is this guess as to what could happen and the possible humongous waste of taxpayer money that has people against the plan. I don't live in Florida, and I'm not really on a side. But I saw this thread, and I just like to try to examine both sides of an issue. I see good points on both sides of this issue.



I'm not sure what me being from Texas has to do with anything, and I can't tell for sure what you mean about the importance of sports to schools. I suppose it is important to the athletes, their parents, and the coaches, but not so much to the rest of the students, parents, and staff of the school. I'm not sure this has anything to do with this thread, but it is obvious that if all programs are looked at objectively, sports are just as expendable as music, art, etc. I used the roll-eyes smiley earlier on purpose because I know that as ridiculous as it is, some people would never ever ever consider getting rid of the sports programs. But they might consider getting rid of the arts .

Students here go to their sports classes during school hours, usually with additional hours put in before and/or after school as well. Just like with marching band. And here they get credit for sports classes and band, as far as I know. Maybe in Florida they don't and it all takes place during non-school hours.

Some major classes will be taking the place of electives, thus if a student does not major in an arts program, the student will have less of a chance to be involved in those programs.

Here sports practices take place before and/or after school, not during school hours. Therefor they won't be impacted by major/minor requirements. Now I am talking about football, softball, basketball, crew, etc. PE classes do take place during school hours but there is not much offered in that area.

And what I meant by importance (and pointing out you're from Texas), high school football programs can be additional revenue sources in larger school districts.

 

[Feralpeg]

Are you referring to the FCAT? If so, colleges don't look at these scores when making admission decisions.

No, I was actually talking about the testing they do in the UK. If they were to do the same type of thing here, I would want more than just some type (not FCAT) form of standardized test to be considered when determining a child's future.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I think that a HS education should be well rounded and not specialized. This is a bad idea.

 

[In a hurry]

That is just plain ridiculous. Variety is what makes people/life interesting. It just becomes vocational training, rather than education when geared only toward one goal.

 

[Magickndm]

Does it say anywhere that the majors are set in stone? If not, I don't see much of a problem with students picking an area they are interested and being able to devote more time to that. I think kids are way underestimated, people keep saying they have no clue what most want to do. But I bet if they had a hand in what they are being taught, it might make school a little more interesting.
My daughter will have 2 majors and one minor next year in 10th grade.

 

[In a hurry]

Does it say anywhere that the majors are set in stone? If not, I don't see much of a problem with students picking an area they are interested and being able to devote more time to that. I think kids are way underestimated, people keep saying they have no clue what most want to do. But I bet if they had a hand in what they are being taught, it might make school a little more interesting.
My daughter will have 2 majors and one minor next year in 10th grade.

Interesting. Do you think it enriches your daughters education to focus, or detracts from a variety of class options? I tend toward thinking that Latin will never be interesting, but it is a good foundation. Art Appreciation may be the only time a kid experiences the great works of art, or music.

FTR, I would have loved to "Major" but I know that I would have missed out on a more well-rounded education.

 

[Magickndm]

Interesting. Do you think it enriches your daughters education to focus, or detracts from a variety of class options?

Ask me next year.
Actually, she will be attending a school of the arts here, so she is already a focused child. The school she will be attending is in the top one and a half percent in the nation for academic scores, (it's in Florida, it's a public school to boot, so the theory that all public schools here are bad is just wrong) so I can't see how it will detract from other classes.
I, on the other hand, never was all that focused, but looking back, I do think I would have really liked being able to pick a subject and go more in depth with it.
Now if a child gets corralled into a subject and they cannot change their major, that is a problem.

 

[In a hurry]

Fair assessment! Thanks! I hope her year goes well!

 

[DVC Sadie]

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?????

Yes, but you make perfect sense so I don't mind at all.

 

[taximomfor4]

I have to admit I did not read the replies yet...but wanted to quickly chime in. My dd is going to start high school next year. I would not particularly mind her declaring a major. She can always change it later -- many people do that even in college. But then, I went to high school in France where the kids DO move into paths of their majors in high school. Then again, maybe that (and the fact that they expect much more from their kids in their school work) is why their kids graduate high school with about the equivalent of an Associates Degree, after a rigorous graduation test. Heck, their 3 and 4 yr olds in my village were thriving in preschools with what Americans would consider EXTREME academics. I would rather get more serious about my kids' schooling, to us it is more of a priority...and if the kids get used to the challenge, they tend to rise to it.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I appears that some people don't realize that Florida High Schools already have classes allowing students to choose options other than college. If a student knows they don't want to go to college, their curriculum is centered around getting them ready for the work force. If they are interested in a technical field, the curriculum is weighted toward technical classes, including classes from the local tech. schools. This was supposedly implemented to keep more kids in HS.

The biggest problem I can see with a student choosing a major in HS is what if they decide in college that's not what they want to do. They won't be prepared to pursue other interests, because their HS education was in the field they had previously chosen. They're going to be taking a lot of extra classes, & spending a lot of mom & dad's money trying to catch up to where they should have been leaving HS.

As far as Florida public schools being among the worst, some of the FL public schools are excellent. When my DS was needed to attend a school in NC for a short period of time in 2nd grade, he was so far ahead of them that the teacher used him as a tutor, instead of making him redo all the classwork. What some people seem to forget is that many of the FL schools are populated almost solely with children that speak English as a 2nd language. These schools drag the average way down. I agree, that the salary is too low, but the schools in the more affluent areas don't have a problem getting great teachers.

 

[barrett7890]

we already do something similar in the UK. The situation is a wee bit different in England, but in Scotland your first 2 years of high school (age 12-13) are general, covering everything. When you are entering 3rd year (age 14) you choose the subjects you want to sit exams on at the end of your 4th year (age 15).

I have always been scientifically minded, so mine were geared towards this. You still have to take english, maths, PE and a langauge.

The various subjects are grouped into 8 (i think) catagories, and you choose one from each.

You then narrow your choices again to go into 5th year when you sit your Highers.

cami
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