My SIL is retiring this year. She has taught home economics for 30 years in our school district. Her department used to have 5 teachers. She is the only one left. In addition to cooking and sewing, she has taught budgeting, child development, and relationship skills.
The superintendent informed her last week that her entire department is going away. Our children will not have the opportunity to learn to cook, sew on a button, or to balance a check book at school. Granted, I learned all of these things from my parents and my 4H club - not my school - but I am seeing many young people who are not learning these skills from parents.
Does "home ec" still have a place in our schools? How about fine arts? Industrial arts?
I realize that schools need to cut back, and some classes have to go. which classes are worth keeping, and which should go?
I think it does. Do you know how many adults do not know how to fuggin cook! It's asinine. Fine Arts...I'm partial...lol Industrial Arts...yeah? that's like fabrications right? lol
I think that education curriculum needs to be well rounded and diverse. I hate to see programs like home ec or the arts get cut.
My son's middle school includes Home Ec as part of a rotation of 4 non-academic classes. Sixth graders get a 9-week sampling of each class: Home Ec, Art, Drama and Computer Skills. In 7th & 8th grades they get a full semester for each of those subjects.
He did Home Ec last semester. The course focused on preparing to live on one's own, so he learned about child care, basic sewing, and cooking. They didn't do budgeting though I wish they had.
He really liked the class; he likes cooking. I do think there's a place for these courses.
Isn't this something that a MOTHER should be able to teach? I have plenty of home ec activities with my homeschooled children.
I think when budgets are this horrible, then things that aren't going to get you a college degree have to be scaled back. I know that sounds cold, but in our current economy, a degree is everything.
I took home-ec, too. I hope it's back when my kids are of that age, but if not, they will already have learned a lot of it from their parents. :)
Practical skills are vital. I'd like to see financial skills, cooking homemade meals, growing food, basic mechanics, sewing etc. as having a prominent place in high school education.
my kids aren't homeschooled but I am teaching them how to cook, bake, sew, etc... I am also teaching them how to change the oil, put furniture together and hook up electronics. I do it ALL in our house. My DH is lucky he can dress himself... But I lay it out!!!
Quoting toomanypoodles:Isn't this something that a MOTHER should be able to teach? I have plenty of home ec activities with my homeschooled children.
Mommy, wifey, and Progressive Christian "In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican." ~H.L. Mencken
Do you find this to be a waste of money?
- Themis_Defleo
on Feb. 24, 2012 at 11:42 PM