Brainwashed

Americans have been brainwashed into believing that every child needs a high school diploma, and that everyone should go to college. I challenge this unexamined assumption. Education should not be wasted on those who do not want to be educated. More specifically, educated in the traditional public school manner.

By the sixth grade, decisions should be made to determine which path is best suited for each student. One option is to direct a child into a three-year life skills program that ultimately helps them find and become involved with a trade internship or apprenticeship – a practical course of study that teaches life skills as well as job skills. The second direction is for the undecided students, who have demonstrated a desire and willingness to learn, but have yet to choose a trade. The third group will contract what subjects they’ll pursue and the grades they’ll need in order to earn a placement in high school, which itself is intended to prepare them for a post-secondary education.

Children who will not do the work required for their respective education path are emancipated by adults by age sixteen, and it is up to the parents as to how they want to deal with it. Any and all social services involved in the care and feeding of that child ceases.

When education is treated as a privilege, there are higher standards and less time and money wasted on wastrels.