High School Curriculum Should Be Changed

I will not argue that it is important for individuals to be knowledgeable in subjects such as math, science, history, etc. However, I do not believe that school teaches you what you REALLY need to know to survive in the world. Yes there are classes that one can CHOOSE to take to learn things such as accounting, however it is not mandatory. (Furthermore, do you really believe that a teenager is going to WILLINGLY take a financing class, or a politics class?) There are classes that I find to be unnecessary, such as keyboarding. We are in the 21st century, learning how to type properly, is no longer an issue. Teenagers are typing constantly, whether they type on their cellular devices, Ipads, tablets, lap tops/ computers, etc. There is also a class where a student will learn how to properly use Microsoft office software. I will say that this is both necessary, and unnecessary. Many know the basics, and it is not hard to play around until you find what you would like or- yes I am going to say it- Google it! I will agree that the class is helpful and convenient, however I will reiterate that it is not needed. There are other electives given such as art classes, band, etc. (Let us not forget gym, which four years of a passing grade is needed in order to graduate. Let me also say that I do not understand this once so ever. If it is to improve health, well I find that to be incredibly contradicting seeing how many fast food places, yes places, not restaurants, or Dunkin' Donuts you can find on just one street.) Yes I agree art and music classes are a helpful way to express ones self, however by the time one is a junior, or a senior, they should have an idea of how to express themselves when it is necessary outside of school and they will need to learn about other substantial subjects. (I will discuss this further later.) Furthering my point, there are individuals placed in these classes who do not even wish to be. It is actually mandatory at some schools to take an art class in order to graduate. My question to them, is why? If one does not wish to take an art class, then why should they have to. Some people simply do not enjoy art, and well, some people suck. To clarify and conclude my point there seeing I went a bit off topic, art classes should not be mandatory. To continue, I would like to ask my next question. How many students in an art class are honestly going to continue and go to an art college? Do not twist my words, I have no doubt that some will proceed to be an amazing artist one day, however if one has no intent on continuing that path, I believe it is not a needed class to take and others are more important. (I am not arguing a position for a band class because that I know of, you ask to be placed in this class.) I will now explain what classes I believe should be mandatory, are helpful, and then give my reasoning and further points. As I earlier mentioned, there are classes available such as accounting, financing, and politics. I am not saying individuals need to learn every single aspect of these subjects, however I know that I myself, am ignorant to these subjects. I will also add that these classes should be junior and senior classes. Yes of course teenagers have adults in their life, however you can not guarantee nor say that every single parent or guardian will teach teenagers how to do something such as writing a check, cashing a check, buying a car, etc. They will be told, "You're getting older now, figure it out." I am a junior, and I just worked for the town on election day, and I was required to fill out a W-4 form. I had no idea what to do! (My step father filled it out for me.) Now wouldn't it have been convenient if there was a class that taught you how to do things such as that and many more? One day we will be on our own, and I can only speak for myself and say that I do not wish to be that ignorant person who does not understand what is going on and have every employee trying to help me. For an example, purchasing a house, paying bills, owning a checking account, purchasing a car, etc. As I mentioned, I worked the polls on election day, so I witnessed everyone who had came to vote. I can honestly say, but do not quote me and keep in mind this was only one polling place, the majority were people about 35 and over. There were, I believe somewhere between 5-10 individuals who were younger than 35. I am saying this both as an assumption, and with some knowledge, that it is because they simply do not care. I have heard many times individuals of voting age saying that they do not plan to vote because they do not care. I cannot help but be thankful for this, simply because many do not know what is actually going on in the world around them and will just vote randomly. As many have said themselves, they "don't care." I find this to be quite upsetting. Much has happened in our history just to acquire the right to vote, and now many do not even CARE to do so? I will not argue that some teenagers will absolutely hate this class, but some teenagers also absolutely hate math, and years of math is required. Overall, my argument is that too many teenagers are ignorant to the important things that they will find that they need to accomplish both while in school, and after graduation, and something should be done.