In today’s world, there is so much competition and pressure as kids head towards college and the professional world. In order to combat the problem of unequal education throughout the United States, the Common Core was created in 2009, and released in 2010, with the intent of giving children all over America the access to equal education. Within months, more than 40 states and the District of Columbia were practicing the Common Core curriculum. The Common Core focuses primarily on math and English language arts, creating minimum guidelines to ensure constant success from Kindergarten through grade 12 nationwide. One major benefit of Common Core is that it levels the playing field for students across the nation, creating a diverse and rigorous curriculum for all students. With the wide range in economic, social, and cultural environments across different counties, cities, and states around the country, it is difficult to measure and standardize what is taught in schools in vastly different areas.
The Common Core also supports teachers in giving them to tools to make sure students take the right paths to succeed in their academic goals. If a child is falling behind in a certain subject matter, the teachers are able to give students the special attention and learning modules that they may need. This creates clarity of thought and learning initiatives so that it is easy for students and parents to see what is expected of them as they work through the Common Core curriculum.
The idea behind the current common core system is to create a nationwide standard to ensure that all students are equally educated in high school and prepared for a college education. While that idea may seem like it would best prepare students, it focuses primarily on math and English with test-based evaluations. In order to truly allow students to be successful in high school and prepared for higher education, students should have a schedule that they are allowed to help construct which mandates a broad range of classes. Requiring a broad range of types of classes, or elective classes also gives students of all types a chance to be successful. Not all students are great at math or English and when that’s the focus in school, many students may feel discouraged.
Colleges look for well-rounded students, and a broad range of courses allows students to showcase a broad range of skills that they have learned or discovered in high school. If college sounds like a good idea but you have no idea where to start, consider a few options:
Vocational Training
Vocational schools impart direct training in different job fields geared to build a career. They may train in job-specific fields and become certified as early as six months. A College degree takes a minimum of 4 years and sometimes longer. Most vocational schools just require high school completion and basic knowledge of Math and English. Students don’t need top grades to succeed. No need to have high levels of stress trying to graduate Magna Cum Laude, and compete against spots for Valedictorian. Similar to Colleges, vocational courses can be taken online, which supports convenience and easy learning processes. While enrolled, Students can learn while on the job and potentially earn a stipend. For example, Job Corps is a facility that trains participants to become certified as engineers, auto mechanics, electricians, welders, health fields, and more. Most importantly, they are expense manageable and some are even free! Job corps assist participants with free-living spaces, provided meals, work uniforms, and weekly stipends.
Military Branches
If you’ve looked at these options and still have decided that trade school may not be the best fit, consider a route in the military. There are four branches of the military (Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps), each different in their own way. The military provides travel experience, housing, food, healthcare benefits, childcare services, all free of charge to those enlisted or commissioned. In return recruits are trained in skills of many professions: medics, electricians, firefighters, public affairs specialist, police officers, private investigators, lawyers, and more. Along with wearing a uniform, you are granted respect for serving; restaurants and most retail shops honor a discount, paid tuition, job security, and self-discipline.
But Why Not?
When you go to job fairs, how often do you hear about alternative options? Has there been a job corps representative? Is there a recruiter from each branch of the military? Does your counselor even give you other options other than going to college? Alternatives are not advertised as they should be. Ask the right questions, go to the right people, and do your own research.