The perspective of the education system from an older generation

School is a universal subject among all age groups. Most, if not all of us, had to go through it at least once in our lives. But here’s the real question:

How has high school changed?

To trek the evolution of school, let’s start back when most of our grandparents were in school. For example, my grandmother, Catherine Coleman, was in the graduating class of 1948. My grandfather graduated in 1948 also. She was the first of her family to graduate from high school, and trust me; it was not an easy journey.

“High school was a very fun/difficult journey for me,” Coleman said, “People were still swayed by their prejudice views so it definitely wasn’t easy. But even through all of the turmoil going on around us, we still had a very memorable time.”

Most of the curriculum in high school was also different from the present day subjects we learn in high school now. Gym was very important back in the 1940’s because they were preparing boys for the war. Often, there were many home education classes for women so they could have proper training on how to be a wife. As far as the core classes we had, in the 1940s only math, English and either one history or science class was taught. But the most substantial thing to happen education wise was the creation of the first SAT that was administered in 1941.

What has to be the most astounding fact has to be that only less than 25% of high school students in the 1940s graduated from high school. Today, that percentage has more than doubled to 82%.

In the 1940s, there was also a very strict dress code as well. Females had to wear dresses or skirts that covered their ankles and a light sweater or cardigan to cover their shoulders. If you attended a catholic school, chances are you had a uniform.

“Back in my day, if you had the most visible crease in your pants, you were considered cool. And oh my, it was always the pretty girls who would wear those really nice skirts with the silky material that would have guy’s heads turning. That’s actually what made your grandmother stand out, “Leonard said. “She was the prettiest girl there.”

However, during lunch, students were allowed to leave the campus to either go home, or go out to eat. It was often up to the students on if they wanted to come back or not. So in a way, the rules were much more relaxed than today’s standards. In school discipline was also allowed so students wouldn’t get out of line. It was absolutely normal to be spanked with a wooden paddle or a belt in front of your classmates. Oh, how times have changed.

Generally, school in the 1940s and school in the present day are like night and day. The rules are much stricter and now education is offered to everyone. It may not seem like a positive thing, but trust me, it really is. Education is vital and overall it’s your own fault if you don’t take advantage of it.