by Martie Lownsberry

Created on: April 29, 2009

President Obama has said repeatedly that one of this nations goals should be to prepare our children to meet the challenge of the future. If we are to achieve that aim, the first step is to make certain classes mandatory for all high school students. Classes that will give them the necessary skills to become competent communicators, analytical thinkers, and help them to understand the changing world around them.

These are the basic classes they will need to accomplish those tasks:

English and writing classes should be mandatory all four years of high school. It is amazing the number of high school graduates that cannot even write a simple paragraph. The first goal of this English and writing class should be to teach the child how to become proficient in writing the following types of paragraphs and later, papers. Informative. descriptive, How to, and Persuasive. Successive English and Writing courses, should continue to increase the child's skills in these types of writing, making sure that proper spelling and punctuation lessons are included to make the child a competent communicator of the written word.

Public speaking and interpersonal communication classes should also teach the student to communicate proficiently orally. In addition, the student should also learn how to communicate effectively one on one, and in groups.

Every student should be required to take at least one year of debate, not only will this increase his oral communication skills, but it will also teach him to think analytically, and in an organized manner, while responding to the ideas of others.

History and Government should be a required in every high school. Every student should be required to take at least one year each of American history, world history, and Government. While many people believe the teaching of history serves no purpose, it is in fact, essential to understand the past struggles and the triumphs. Studying American history will give students a better idea of who we are as a country and the values we hold dear. Studying world history will give us a better understanding of other cultures, peoples and their struggles. The study of our Government, will give students an understanding of how a democracy works, and ways to improve it.

Current Events should be taught hand in hand with history. Helping students learn and keep abreast of what is happening in the world on a daily basis. Current event classes should cover events in the area of science, politics, law, and humanities. These

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