Home schooling

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Apocalypse
Well, I wouldn't say too much emphasis is placed on math and science, but I'm likely to go into a math heavy field and all I'll need is my high school calculus course.

And how many other students will really need this?

Most math and science at high school has no practical application for most of the students.

Science is useless for most people. There is reason to teach courses in basic science so that students know the current state of scientific knowledge, but that's about it.

[Apocalypse]

Well, Calculus is needed for pretty much all engineering and computer science fields. That is many jobs. Business have their own advanced math classes. Many others need some type of advanced statistics classes. Math is needed for most jobs, it just depends what type. There needs to be more choice in high schools so that the studends can go into what they want.

As for science, kids need at least physics and biology. Much of physics is useful just to know how basically things work. Biology is important so you can follow what a doctor is telling you. Chemestry is pretty useless for most people though. The reason it is still around heavily for most people is because it was put in many cirriculums back in the day, after WWII when it was thought to be a lot more important. Many people became Chemistry majors. There was no job market for them though. Thus you have a bunch of cheap chemistry teachers to hire.

Those are the basic three that can get you into college. Most good colleges require at least two of the three.

[Sandman]

Biology is essential, if you ask me. We've still got too many people wanting doctors to give them antibiotics for colds.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Agathon
Thinking back to my 7th form calculus class, I can't think of more than 3 or 4 people who actually went on to use calculus in their careers. Teaching practical logic instead of most mathematics would benefit more students.

I don't know how things are done in NZ, in Hong Kong form 5, 6, and 7 are split into at least three classes: science, arts, and business. Unless you choose the science stream you won't get calc.

I agree that they all can use a course in critical thinking.

Originally posted by Agathon
The teaching of English is woeful.

Can't be worse than here.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Apocalypse
Well, Calculus is needed for pretty much all engineering and computer science fields.

Not Computer Science - not for most of the stuff anyway.

Originally posted by Apocalypse
As for science, kids need at least physics and biology. Much of physics is useful just to know how basically things work. Biology is important so you can follow what a doctor is telling you. Chemestry is pretty useless for most people though.

Sure? Most people got scared when they heard of (di)hydrogen monoxide.

[Sandman]

Having reread the thread, I'd much rather have students learning science than learning the tenets of 'major world religions'. Why can't we just teach them the 'current state of religious knowledge'?

Agathon

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Agathon
Science is useless for most people. There is reason to teach courses in basic science so that students know the current state of scientific knowledge, but that's about it.

I would't say science is useless for most people.

You see lots and lots of charlatans fleecing the ignorant. Just look through Randi's website to see the staggering number of traps out there waiting to separate you from your money.

Even money is only a minor issue. Many people lost their lives or at least body parts due to quacks.

[Az]

Science is useless for most people. There is reason to teach courses in basic science so that students know the current state of scientific knowledge, but that's about it.

[Sikander]

Groups which study science and engineering are on the way up. Groups which study sociology, political science, ethnic studies etc. are either stagnate or on their way down. Trying to entice the leading edge of a marginalized group into ethnic studies etc. is a great way to assure their continued residence in the underclass.

[Az]

D.H.M.O. It's the only thing you need to remind yourself of, when thinking whether we need to study more science in HS.

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Sikander
Groups which study science and engineering are on the way up. Groups which study sociology, political science, ethnic studies etc. are either stagnate or on their way down. Trying to entice the leading edge of a marginalized group into ethnic studies etc. is a great way to assure their continued residence in the underclass.

I reckon most people who do science degrees end up in the same sort of anonymous, interchangeable service sector jobs as social science or art graduates.

[Arrian]

I don't think there is much argument that someone who gets an Engineering degree gets - ON AVERAGE - a higher-paying job than someone with an arts degree (such as my History degree). Money isn't everything, but it ain't nothin' either.

I think Sikander's got a good point.

-Arrian

[DanS]

No, there is a lot of argument on that point. Engineers only get paid more for the first several years on the job. Eventually, the arts degree-holders surpass them.

But in any event, I think it's important from a cross-disciplinary standpoint to teach higher level math to anybody who is able. I took calc in high school and college, while getting a history degree. It helps me think at a higher level.

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by DanS
No, there is a lot of argument on that point. Engineers only get paid more for the first several years on the job. Eventually, the arts degree-holders surpass them.

But in any event, I think it's important from a cross-disciplinary standpoint to teach higher level math to anybody who is able. I took calc in high school and college, while getting a history degree. It helps me think at a higher level.

I know a lot of arts degree holders who never go pass ~40k a year

so I think some very high payed people are arts... but that the median always stays way below engineering/math/physics type fields

JM

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by Sandman


I reckon most people who do science degrees end up in the same sort of anonymous, interchangeable service sector jobs as social science or art graduates.

Environmental science yes....

you need a real science degree also

JM