yes, I do live in a rural area, I just question whether an agriculture class should be required. I know kids who major in agriculture, and that's great, they're getting a head start, but for us city-slickers it seems like a waste of time, it's a little like trying to make a nerd play sports. (yes, that was stereotypical, I couldn't think of a better way to put it though, sorry) and yes we have something like honors classes, dual enrollment, they're still too easy, and you can't skip grades in my school. as for social skills, I have none, as I'm too blunt, very tactless, and will not interact with people I don't like more than necessary, but putting me in normal classes does not appear to be helping and I have no intention of fixing them, I honestly see no reason to pretend to get along with someone when you don't, you don't have to like someone to work with them. (because of my lack of tact, I apologize if at any time I insult someone, chances are it was an accident) I did mention I was probably not a good example, most teachers don't know what to do with me, they just sort of end up sticking me in a corner and ignoring me if I'm not paying attention. I guess middle school could be to young for a lot of kids to know what they want to do, again I was not stating a general example, and I already do work in the business field, I am a publisher for a single book, and an editor for several that are not finished, so I wish it were possible for me to take classes that would help me learn business tactics so I knew more about what the heck I was doing.DreamingOfIslands wrote:And you're still only 15. That puts you.... Still in high school, am I right? As demonstrated by my personal story, your mind can still change. Students are, to an extent, sorted based on ability. Many schools have "gifted", "honors", or AP and DC classes that are harder and require more work. I peronally was honors and AP track through all of high school and part of middle school (I was initally placed below where I should be, due to some ignorance about "learning disabilities" and the nature of my Aspergers). It is possible to skip grades- However, I think you're overlooking the value of social skills learned interacting with your peers. I think middle school is much, much too young- With people living longer and longer, and more schooling changing the way minds work and develop, things are right about where they are. (Though, I would like to say, I mean this for decent high schools with a decent choice of electives and classes. Unfortunately, some schools are too underfunded or just too small to be able to offer students the kinds of class choices that benefit them).CasinWolfe wrote:I knew in sixth grade what major I wanted, but my school didn't offer anything business related at all, so it didn't much matter. I think it depends on the student, but I also think that students should be sorted based on their intellect, not their age, seeing as I could've finished many of my classes in a third of the time. (and did in geometry, ended up fixing the mistakes in the textbook and the test keys the rest of the time) I don't know if this is a good example for the major population, but I think starting in middle school a kid should be able to take whatever classes they are capable of passing and are relevant to what they plan to do, with the default academics we have now for those who haven't decided yet.
p.s. they made me take agriculture through eighth grade, I am not a farmer, what I will ever do with the knowledge of how to ride a tractor and castrate a cow I will never know. so yes, I do think schools are much too inflexible, they make special allowances for below average students, but know one else.
About your agriculture class- Do you live in a rural area where many students /are/ farmers, are in farming families, or can easily find work as farmers? If so, this gen ed makes perfect sense. If it's likely that you'll grow up to be a farmer and can be successful doing it, it's perfectly logical to make students take a general agriculture class. I have seen about equal exceptions for below average students as above average students. As one who could be considered above average, I was allowed to take geometry before algebra I (The norm in my high school being the opposite) due to a scheduling conflict, allowed to take an extra "early bird" class, and allowed to have a study hall should I choose it (with some restrictions). My high school had a night school program that could be considered for below average students or underachievers, and some pregnant students got special perks (Which could be a huge rant from me on its own).
We've already discussed why general education classes are important, especially in this economy. The main points were that it was important for a well rounded education (To make YOU a well-rounded person) and allowed one more flexibility in future career paths (Because even if you think you know what you want to do now, you may change your mind or need to take a job in a different field due to necessity).
I know general education is important, I didn't mean make it possible to not take them, my bad. I meant if we could manage both general classes and higher level specialized classes, we should have to opportunity to do both. throw me a textbook and give me a list of assignments, I'll get the class done in under a semester. the pace the classes go at is what bothers me, not the actual content.
also, my school has almost no variety at all, which is what makes me so prickly on the subject.
I don't understand this problem either, really, I think I'm asexual, I don't have any interest in dating anyone, the idea doesn't make sense to me. maybe, like you suggest, it will some day. I have hobbies for researching things, (ok, it's more of an obsession) I'm trying to figure out how to use a bokken. (it's a wooden sword used for practice) And I know I need to find my own way to make things fit, I just felt like throwing my two cents in here. 
