Lifeskills

Lifeskills

         Let us face reality. National statistics show a drop out rate of approximately thirty percent. These children are the fodder ground up by our system. This is a national embarrassment and needs to be addressed. I propose our educational leadership get off their collective rear-ends and step outside their self-serving shortsighted approach. It is time for new ideas, for, if what we currently do doesn’t work what can it hurt to try something else?

         To that goal, I propose a curriculum change, which more closely follows the truth of existence. In other words, let us teach these children the skills life is going to require of them. One: Lifeskills, a system designed to show these children the management skills required for their daily existence. This should be a system using a payment and wage format and should be system wide. That is, it should start at kindergarten and continue until graduation or until that child quits. If this is done, then even should that child quit they will have the skills the world shall require of them.

         Let us examine the structure of such a system. Upon entrance into school an account is established for that child and everything they use, paper, pencils, desk, room, etc., are charged to this account. This teaches them the truth that life is costly. As for payment, they are to be paid for comportment, homework, grades, participation, etc., this teaches life can be rewarding. Of course, at the beginning levels this will be a very simple payment and reward system, with increasing complexity at each successive level. Is it hard to imagine the result of such a system? Is it not conceivable that all levels of school shall be more fun and educational with a system like this? Take homework, isn’t it much more likely these children will find it entertaining knowing they receive compensation for their efforts.

         This game-playing role is one that will teach the skills necessary for that child's life. Both fun and valuable, think what this will do as these children enter into the world. Their job skills, life skills, self-image all are enhanced and a stronger foundation is constructed for our nation. Let me take this a step further, we throw so much money at this system of failure consider if some of this money were actually used in this reward system. If this account were actually begun with a small cash value and progress from pennies into a real wage situation is it not possible these children would learn to read, do math, and have hope for a brighter future in this way. Why not make it a program, which has the result of earning the required money of their continued higher education. The realization of this money value can only be achieved by graduation from high school. I am convinced we would find few would walk away from this cash fund. At the completion of High School, the fund is theirs to continue education or to give them an advantage in their entrance into the world. If they are taught these skills well they will take good and responsible advantage of this boon.

         Is this not the way it should be? Should not all human beings be recognized for their value and effort? Think how much stronger the economy of our nation shall become with a trained, skilled citizenship. Now is the time to address another failure of our system, one that can be corrected in one generation. That national shame is voting percentage and the failure of our citizens to be fully aware of their obligation to us all.

         Examine this hypothesis, is it not likely these students who are earning an unheard of advantage will want to know how to protect it and their rights. Again, there should be a civics curriculum established along the line of the above approach. Beginning at the time of entrance into school a political agenda is established where the class is required to examine every election and cast a vote based on what they perceive. Once more, this is done initially at a very simple level and grows more complex as it progresses. The more they progress the more they are rewarded for their involvement. It should be taught, this is the responsibility for the advantages their nation provides. If they do not vote, they have no right to complain. This can be done in a fun game-playing role until it becomes so ingrained our nation voting percentage shall climb to ninety plus percent. Then and only then can we claim a, “Government of the people, by the people and for the people.” Come on let us get real and begin to implement the values for which America was established.