Students spend a huge part of their lives in school, but many still wonder if what they are learning will actually help them once they graduate. While schools focus heavily on academics, students and teachers have different opinions on whether those lessons really prepare them for the future.
Some students feel that school does help build important skills. Jack, a Ipswich High School student, who also works with kids, said his job has taught him things that school does not. “People skills and common sense,” he said. “I work with kids, which teaches me skills.” In terms of classes, Jack said AP Psychology has been the most useful because it helps him better understand people and behavior. At the same time, Jack thinks schools are missing some important life lessons. When asked what schools should teach more of, he didn’t hesitate to say, “Taxes.” Another Ipswich High student, Jen, agreed that some classes are helpful but believes schools could do more. She said learning American Sign Language and learning to drive were some of the most important things she learned outside of school. With also saying Business and Entrepreneurship was the only class that prepared her for real life. This class, she explained, gets me ready for living alone in the world. Jen also shared how stressful testing can be. “100% no, it gives me stress that day,” she said when asked if tests show what students actually know. She added that the pressure has affected her personally, saying, “Yes, and it affects me because I freak out.” Like Jack, she thinks schools should focus more on everyday skills, especially “budgeting or money management.”
Teachers see the issue a little differently. Mr. Bourque, an art teacher, explained that testing does not really affect how he teaches because art classes are different from core academic classes. “They don’t affect the way I teach due to the art curriculum not matching a normal academic curriculum,” he said. Instead of many tests, students in his class complete a large final project to show what they have learned. According to Bourque, art classes help students develop skills that are useful in many areas of life. “Skills that you tend to develop are creative problem solving and communication,” he said. After teaching a class with this approach, it shows that not all learning can be measured in test form. All teachers should teach with an approach like this because the students demonstrate understanding through creativity and real world skills, rather than multiple choice tests on a computer.
Overall, the insight from students and teachers, have shown that while schools do teach important skills, there are still gaps in preparing students for adult life. Many students feel confident in academic subjects but unsure about handling real-world responsibilities. While students feel confident in solving equations or writing essays, they often feel unprepared when it comes to applying for jobs, paying taxes, or making big decisions. As students think about their futures, it may be time for schools to find a better balance between academics and life skills. Whether schools fully prepare students or not is still up for debate, but one thing is clear: students want to leave school feeling ready for what comes next.
