Can we stop programming our children with No Child Left Behind and start preparing them for independence?

Traveler: Can we stop programming our children with No Child Left Behind and start preparing them for independence?
Education is supposed to teach us how to learn and to prepare us to be independent. Instead of teaching socialist theories of globalization, is it possible to have an home economics class that teaches one how to put in a sink or install a new toilet? It costs $ 190 to have a new sink installed; I had to earn $ 235.60 to pay for this (24% income tax removed from paycheck). I do not know how to change plumbing pipes.

I am not against hiring contractors, or reading how to repair things myself, but basic repairs course in high school would have been helpful and programming an entire nation to think one way seems like we are creating a society that will be punished for thinking outside the box.
Contrarycrow: both my children went to universities (one economic & paralegal studies, the other electrical engineering & elementary education- degrees earned). During their time in college, both began developing narrow minded “liberal” views that insisted America is the root of all evil, and neither could support their new beliefs. I like new points of view, but base it on fact and not liberal retoric.

Answers and Views:

Answer by jacquie
Very good, I agree. They need to learn basic skills of independence like how to not depend on your parents to pay the bills because you wanted to go buy all of those new clothes or had to have that car. As far as how to home projects, some people just aren’t mechanically inclined and if you are, you should go take a class for this stuff. They teach adults these home repair things all of the time. But for others, I think they need to learn how to budget so we can leave them behind to be on their own.

Answer by marconprograms
There are already many parents who are either supplementing or replacing their children’s education with their own efforts, for these and other reasons. If you want a helping hand, look at the end of your wrist.

PS – I learned how to do my own plumbing for EXACTLY that reason! Maximium cost for both toilets and both bathroom sinks in my house was less than $ 80 each, with sales tax – and I have a 100 foot industrial snake for addressing that kind of problem, if it arises. Teach your kids how to read, and look things up! It’s the key to freedom!

Answer by contrarycrow
Great question!

Socialist theories of globalization? Really? Cool! What school does your kid go to?!? My daughter never got that (at school anyway). It’s a big world, let’s teach kids to live in it as responsible civic-minded individuals with respect for others and different ways of thinking.

I agree with you though, basic home repair would be great along with some basic electronics. What the hell, teach them how to make their own IPod to run off of a little solar panel. Now there’s a skill for the future! Also throw in some basic budgeting in with this home ec class (hence the name “home ECONOMICS”), teach kids money doesn’t “grow on trees”? That’s not political or dogmatic, just realistic!

Answer by Frank P
You are exactly right. Also while we are at it, can we start keeping score again for kids sports? Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. There is more of a lesson learned there than when no score is kept.