GUEST COMMENTARY: Schools should prepare students for real life

Shouldn't the emphasis of education be not only to make our students college- and work-ready but also ready for life?

First, let's make sure all children are born healthy, through prenatal programs for all mothers-to-be.

Second, all first-time parents should participate in special learning programs. Third, parents need to participate in parents-as-teachers programs and other parenting programs as it relates to teaching their children. Programs should teach best practices for discipline of children, as well as promoting responsibility and teaching respect and honesty.

Fourth, create quality and affordable state-of-the-art preschools in order to see where each child is at, in terms of their skills, identify any issues including any possible health problems that might affect their ability to learn, and work to correct those problems before they get to kindergarten.

Fifth, from elementary school to high school, the state should create and add to the curriculum four major kinds of literacy:

• Financial literacy, so students can learn how money works and how to use credit, debit, checking and savings accounts. They also should learn about budgeting, bankruptcy, comparative shopping, insurance, etc., in order to make smart money decisions.

• Health literacy, so students could learn about healthy eating and the importance of exercising and doctor check-ups. Also, teach about the dangers of drugs and alcohol use and abuse. In addition, teach about abusing prescription drugs and smoking. Finally, at the state-recommended school grade level, students could learn about sexually transmitted diseases. All of this would be to promote healthy living, keep children out of hospitals, prevent illnesses and save lots of money in the long run.

• Legal literacy, so students can know about the legal and court system, their rights under the law, and what to do and not do if stopped by a police officer. Teach them about crimes mostly committed by school-aged children and the criminal penalties. Teach them how a criminal record affects employment and job-seeking. It would prevent students from going to jail now or later.

• Digital literacy, so students could learn the good, bad and ugly of digital technology. Students could learn about the dangers and consequences of cyberstalking, sexting, texting while driving, confidential information, scams, social media and your job, or job-seeking, and downloading information. In other words, students could learn to be responsible and smart when dealing with technology.

So I say once again, should not education, in addition to making our students college- and work-ready, also make our students ready for life?

Juan M. Andrade is an East Chicago resident. The opinions are the writer's.