Monday, March 27, 2006

FL bill would allow HS students to pick "majors"

The Florida House passed a bill that would require incoming high school freshmen to declare a major, just like college students. The bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

Students would be able to major in humanities, English, communications, math, science, history, social studies, arts, foreign languages and vocational skills. To graduate, students would have to earn 15 core credits in courses like math, science and English, 4 credits in major courses, and 5 credits in elective courses like drama and Spanish.

Source: CNN

I think this is a terrible idea! Our high school students graduate with little enough knowledge as it is. We are now going to remove 4 credits of general education and make it a "major"? What kind of "major" is a high school student equipped to handle? Backing up a step, how many high school freshmen are ready to choose a major at 14, when a considerable number of college students change majors?