Why does the American school system graduate students that don't have any idea how to make money?

Question

Bright or not, most students know NOTHING about business. From business plans, loans, cost of goods, expenses, taxes and laws to just good service, our schools have completely ignored the most important thing that school could give us; The ability to generate an income.

Answer 1

I hate to say it but I believe that you are overgeneralizing. While there may be some students that know very little about supporting themselves, there are others that know a great deal. Not only that but some students learn a great deal about income by supporting themselves while trying to obtain their education.

Answer 2

If you're a student in Texas it's because you're being taught how to take a test. There's no time for frivolous stuff like real world issues. It's more important to know what will be on the test and how to take the test and how to pass the test. Then you can go on to college where nowadays you pretty much do the same thing; take a test, get your diploma and go out into the real world where you are totally unprepared!!! Sorry if I am cynical it's just that I work in the school system and I get an up close look of what we're producing. The kids aren't getting a good education anymore because teachers don't have time to teach what's important. Everything depends on that state exam. From the students passing to the next grade level to teacher's job, principals job, and the district overall. It's a domino effect.

Answer 3

You must consider the nature of the American school system. It is general in nature. Teachers must cover a vast amount of general knowledge before specialty focus can begin. The schools do not ignor this issue, they just can't get through all the basic teaching to begin specializing and focusing. The basics take too long. In addition, insufficient funding for public schools has crippled programs that have focused on giving students a heads up on how to make a living after high school. Vital and important to personal achievement, the knowing how to handle money is not directly broached at the secondary level unless it is an extra credit class taught by an idealistic teacher who sees the need for such knowledge. The composition of curriculum, the funds available for education, and a well-planned life studies course need to be improved, enhanced by a society that recognizes a need to make our students financially literate.

Answer 4

Because the school system is outdated. It is set up to teach the basics like math, spelling, geography, etc. Some schools do touch upon things like loans and budgeting but most don't. Also it seems many students are more interested in their social lives, What Paris or Lyndsey did in the tabloids than what is going on in the world. Just ask a teen what states border theirs and 90% will not know the answer. Parents need to teach their children life nessesities, not the schools.

Answer 5

Because those are not our standards. When public school was started, it was decided that a general education was best, a one-size-fits-all solution. Since not everyone is cut out for business, the public school system is not the venue for such education, since everyone has to do it, or no one gets to do it. This is why it is in the secondary education level, where the student gets to choose the discipline, and to some degree, the discipline gets to choose the student. Making money isn't part of general education, in other words, because the term 'making money' implies investment, venture capital, owning/operating a business. Lots of people graduate that can 'make money' by going to work, and this is the normal mode for most. Those who feel compelled to go into business are self-starters, and the first thing they usually do is educate themselves.

Answer 6

The reason is the school system is set up too much like a prison. Think about it...is school really about learning or just a place to babysit you until you are 18.

A school is no different than a prison. You are forced to sit with and be with people you don't want to be with. You are told what to do and how to think. No one ever ask's "what do you think"? You are only expected to follow rules and memorize facts for a test. That is all school is.

Maybe you will get lucky and join a club after school that will teach you to make money. Like joining the AV club and finding out your really good at producing TV Shows and stuff.

But actually learning anything useful is a mistake by school officials who only believe that the only useful stuff to learn is reading, writing and math.

Answer 7

The answer to this question is simple... Our school system is too busy teaching our children about how things were and about made up holidays like Kawanza they simply do not have the time to teach anything about business and how business works except to those who seek out the few classes that do teach that. If Basic Business was a required class than who would work for the business owners, because there would be more people excited about being self employeed.

Answer 8

Video games... but seriously folks, our future generation spends too much time on frivolous activities and not enough time on preparing themselves for the future. It doesn't take a class or school to learn how to make money. What it does take is a desire to get out into the real world and begin to contribute. It's all about effort; hang out, cruise, play video games, you probably won't need to learn about business plans, loans, etc. Set up that lemonade stand, mow lawns, deliver newspapers; well now you are on the right track.
By the way... guit blaming everything on the American school system. They give you the tools, use them. And do all your homework :)

Answer 9

Money isn't everything. A school should be a lot more than a place where you learn the skills required to generate income. Schools that focus entirely on one area are unlikely to produce well rounded people, or successful business people versus schools that try to provide a wide base of general knowledge.

Answer 10

Well if you think about it, there still are people out there that come out of college (or even high school) with the ability to earn, invest, and prepare for their future. In fact, if this weren't true, there would be no successful people out there. As for the vast majority that are clueless, maybe we should implement mandatory financial classes in high school rather than just the dogmatic economics. Kids will be kids though, and some will still skip class to waste their day elsewhere.

Answer 11

Because American schools have been infected with No Child Left Behind. The push to have every child pass a standardized test to graduate has turned our schools into test prep centers. We are so busy prepping our kids to pass a test that they aren't learning practical skills that will help them become productive citizens.