“You can’t judge a fish based on its ability to climb a tree.”  

Ever heard of that?  Well, it’s the same with education.  Someone who is good in math might not be as good in science or history (and I may or may not be talking about myself here…).  The reason is not because a person is stupid in one subject and smarter in others, it’s because we tend to learn differently and therefore test differently.  However, because this is how our education system works, students will go through life thinking they are terrible at certain subjects and as a result, their GPAs will suffer.

If you can’t tell, I have an issue with our education system.  I understand that much of what we learn in primary school will follow us throughout our lives (i.e. math, basic history, some science, and english), but as we get older and focus on what we want to do with our lives, I feel that the education system should become more individualized to what it is that adolescents and young adults need to learn to get their dream job.

You’d think that’s where college comes in.

For the most part, yes.  However, there’s that one thorn in the side when attending college that is known as “general education requirements” or more commonly, “gen-eds.”

(Sound like a disease, don’t they?)

I’m sorry, but as a Communication major specializing in Media Production, I just don’t see why I need to take 7 credits of science to edit videos.  I realize gen-eds are so that college students can have a good base of knowledge, but again… how is dissecting a frog going to help me in video production?

It might sound like I’m complaining, but I’m really not.  I’m just making a point.  Plus, I’m not the only person who has thought that education needs to change and be more individualized and I’m sure I won’t be the last.  In fact, many past psychologists including B.F. Skinner, Edward Thorndike and Jean Piaget all have made statements in their works that people should learn what will be useful to what they will do in life.

I know people can change their minds, I know I have, but in that case you would just go and learn the skills for that new career.  It’s simple, really.  So I guess the question is, why hasn’t education made any of these changes?