OldManJimbo said:
So - the serious question BEGS to be asked? If we all took these courses (required) and have now forgotten nearly all of it - what was the relevant, practicial purpose for forcing them on us?
It seems as though schools force their students to take courses they'll never need for the primary purpose of increasing the school's revenue stream.
Learning is about much more than simply memorizing formulas or archaic information. It's about developing the ability to problem-solve, and preparing us for a multitude of possible life-time tasks, none of which can really be predicted in early school years.
I, for one, could say that much of my schooling was wasted. I graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and did engineering work for about 3 years, but eventually migrated to what is almost a completely unrelated field.
But what I got out of my degree was the ability to apply my skills to a variety of situations, regardless of it is a math problem or a personnel issue. Education is as much about experience and personal development.
The key, in my mind, is that education expands our ability to comprehend much more than simply what is taught. Our minds will take in quite a bit, and will discard much of what we don't use on a regular basis, but that process in and of itself is beneficial to our intellectual growth.
As for increasing the revenue stream - I don't know about the schools you go to, but in my experience, most public education institutions (at least prior to college) are not money-making enterprises.
