Gov. Bush Signs Education Bill Requiring High School Majors

[The Straight Story]

Gov. Bush Signs Education Bill Requiring High School Majors

POSTED: 6:19 pm EDT June 5, 2006
UPDATED: 6:22 pm EDT June 5, 2006

DAVIE, Fla. -- Florida high school students will be the first in the nation required to declare majors and minors like college students, as part of a sweeping education overhaul bill that Gov. Jeb Bush signed Monday.

The provision, to begin during the next school year, is designed to bolster poor graduation rates by allowing students to study subjects that excite them.

A major could include traditional academic subjects like English and math or a vocational field such as carpentry or auto repair. Students still have to pass a core curriculum.

"Not all students are the same," the governor told a group of students from McFatter Technical High School in suburban Fort Lauderdale, where he signed the bill. "Some struggle with certain subjects while others excel. Our education system should not be a one size fits all system for every student, but it should adapt to meet the needs of each student."

http://www.local6.com/news/9324379/detail.html

[rucky]

1. They'll be ready for corporate America in no time!

good little worker bees.

[The Straight Story]

2. I would fight for a major in protesting republicans in power

doubt it would fly though...

[napi21]

3. I don't have a problems with this idea at all. I think it's good.

In fact, I can't believe a Bus came up with it!

I've always thought it was a big mistake to try to force students to ALL go to college. Some really don't want to. It's much better to steer students in a direction that interests them.

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. High school should not be about specialization!

The purpose of high school is to provide a foundation in academic subjects. This is yet another GOP effort to dumb down the schools and leave college (and well paying jobs) as the private resort of the rich.

[Johonny]

6. Hmm

When I was in high school in New York you could go to vocational school and still get a high school degree. This sounds like a slightly different crappier version of New York’s old educational system before the current Governor ruined it.

[TechBear_Seattle]

7. I've never heard of "vocational high school"

In the Arizona high school I attended (in Tucson), and the California high school my younger brothers attended (rural Central Valley), the emphasis was very strongly on academics. Vocational classes like shop and auto mechanics were offered, but only as electives; the main focus was a general education that include math, science, history, government, civics, fitness and arts (yes, it has been a few years since high school.)

I withdraw my comments, although emphasizing vo-tech in high school seems passing strange to me.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. A bush came up with this?

WOW?

What bout that joining the rest of the first world and many in the third world... WOW!