Business courses not relevant in high school? PART 2

It seems like I uncovered an emotional issue two days ago when I wrote about the superintendent of Holley, NY wanting to get rid of the business department and its classes (see 3/31 blog entry).

I heard from business teachers and the regular folks alike, all with a similar message; how could this happen?

Well, I have learned more. The superintendent of Holley, NY is not the source of the blame. It's the New York State Board of regents. They make the graduation requirements and business is not one of them. The problem is that they would have to cut something else to fit in business class requirements.

Once again, not to knock today's (and 1940's) core curriculum; the world definitely needs scientists, mathematicians, history buffs and masters of the English language, but how much of these courses are relevant for ALL students? I mean when was the last time my knowledge of an endoplasmic reticulum (biology reference) came in handy? (I think just now, for this article).

Here's my point: Today's core curriculum serves as a base for some people but not all. A class in understanding how basic financial principles work like how to read a financial statement, the power of compound interest, how banks work, creating a budget, understanding credit cards, tax basics and insurance basics would be valuable for ALL students! Who doesn't need to know that stuff? Why isn't this stuff mandatory in school? People really need those skills in life! We're teaching our kids a bunch of stuff they will never use while the core life stuff goes astray.

And you know what; kids love learning about this stuff! Whenever I am guest speaking in a school and talk about business skills, even the trouble maker kids' eyes light up!

Below is a course that is an elective in a local high school. It's beyond me why a course like this isn't mandatory. It's also beyond me why the superintendent of Holley, NY or The NYS Board of Regents doesn't think a course like this should be mandatory. If you look at the general publics' lack of basic financial and business knowledge, it's no wonder we're in a complete mess today.

Please take a look at this course below. Which would you rather have our high school learning about; these business/financial skills or endoplasmic reticulums? If you think this business class would be better for our kids, please contact the superintendent of Holley, NY and or The NYS Board of Regents.

MONEY BASICS
• Interest Basics
• Simple Interest
• The Power of Compound Interest
• The Time Value of Money
• Living With Inflation

CAREER PATHS
• Job Basics
• Career Exploration
• The Effects of Job Location
• Applying For a Job

TAXES & PARYOLL DEDUCTIONS
• Tax Basics
• Income Taxes
• Sales & Hidden Taxes
• Payroll Deductions

THE WORLD OF BANKING
• Banking Basics
• Keeping Banks Safe
• Banking Services
• Selecting a Bank
• Fringe Banking

LIVING ON A BUDGET
• Budget Basics
• Creating a Budget
• Maintaining a Budget

SPENDING DECISIONS
• Spending, Debt, & Credit
• Managing Debt
• Establishing Credit
• The World of Credit Cards
• Identity Theft

INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE
• Investment Basics
• Investment Risks
• Low-Risk Investments
• Stocks, Bonds & Mutual Funds
• Investment Taxes
• Starting to Invest

AUTOMOBILES
• Automobile Basics
• Purchasing a Vehicle
• True Cost of Owning a Vehicle

HOUSES AND HOMES
• Home Basics
• Preparing to Buy
• Closing the Deal
• Home Mortgages
• True Cost of Owning a Home

INSURANCE
• Insurance Basics
• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Auto Insurance
• Home Insurance

RETIREMENT PLANNING
• Retirement Basics
• Social Security
• Retirement Plans
• 401K
• IRA and Roth IRA
• Retirement and Taxes