ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 11, 1997 TAG: 9702110073
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
CLASSICS OR computers, history or science - students can't agree on which subjects are most important in preparing them for the future.
For Megan Shepherd, American history is almost as boring as world history.
"It's something that's over with - it's the past," said Megan, a junior at Cave Spring High School. "It's not that important to our future."
Her friends, Nicole Lumsden and Christy Fagg, agreed. They said it's nice to know American history, but they don't consider it to be a high-priority subject.
Nicole feels the same way about William Shakespeare and literary classics.
"All we do in English is read books," said Nicole, a junior at the Roanoke County school. "It won't help us get a job."
Christy said she hasn't read modern American writers, such as John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway. She doesn't view literature as essential to her high school education.
Christy considers math, science, computer skills and basic reading skills as the most important things to learn before she graduates.
"Everyone is going to need computer skills when they try to get a job," she said.
A new national study shows that the "basics" - reading, writing and math skills - top the list of items that public school students think are "extremely important" to learn before they finish high school, followed by good work habits, honesty and computers.
But many teen-agers see little reason to study academic subjects such as history, literary classics and modern American writers, according to the study by Public Agenda, a nonpartisan, nonprofit public opinion research and education organization.
Nationally, only 38 percent of students say American history and geography are very important, while 32 percent put the history and geography of places such as Europe and Asia in this category.
As was the case in earlier Public Agenda research with teachers and parents and the public, classic works from writers such as Shakespeare and Plato, as well as modern American writers, are ranked at the bottom of students' lists.
But some students at Cave Spring High, where 90 percent of the graduates go to college, give high ratings to literature, history and other academic students.
"English and literature are important for developing communication skills," said Shawn O'Hargan, a junior. "By reading the classics, it helps you to understand society better and gives you a better perspective on events."
Junior Heather Bowling considers literature to be one of the most important things to learn in high school. "It helps you understand life and how to express yourself."
Heather thinks educators are putting too much emphasis on teaching students "practical" skills in high school and too little on academic studies.
``It looks like they're trying to make us all become `average' Americans,'' she said. ``Some of us want to be writers and do other things.''
Junior Sarah Coats said history should be important for students because it can enable society to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
"I think history repeats itself. If you know what has happened, you can avoid the same mistakes," she said.
Junior Matt Grubb, a student in a college-bound English course, also thinks literature should be important to high school students. His class has read American classics such as ``The Scarlet Letter,'' ``Moby-Dick'' and ``Huckleberry Finn.''
Joe Slack said high school students need a broad education that includes both academic and practical skills.
"You need it all - math, science, computer skills, the classics," said Slack, a junior. "You can go more in-depth into whatever your interests are."
Sophomore Jason Trompeter said it's becoming increasingly important for students to acquire computer skills before they graduate. "Computers are used everywhere, and you need to know how to use them."
Cave Spring students have mixed views on the importance of sports and athletics, which were ranked low by students in the national study.
Sophomore Jeremy Grimes said physical education classes and sports help students stay in good physical shape, but they don't have much practical value.
Grimes, who wants to become an architect, ranks math and English at the top of his list of most important subjects. He gives a low rating to history.
Shawn, who runs cross country and wrestles, thinks sports teaches students how to set goals and work to accomplish them.
Senior Stephen Fisher said calculus and music are the most important subjects for him. He said calculus is helping him prepare for a career in computer science.
Music eases Fisher's stress from other subjects and teaches him how to get along with other people, he said. He is in the school concert band.
"There are about 80 people in the class, and you learn how to get along with a large group," he said. "It will be like that when you get into the business world."
Nationally, 59 percent of students say schools should teach practical skills for the office and industry, but some Cave Spring students said they do not consider this a high priority.
LENGTH: Long : 101 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ROGER HART STAFF. Matt Grubb, a junior at Cave Springby CNBHigh School, reads Mark Twain's ``Huckleberry Finn'' in his
literature class. A national survey says students think the classics
and other ``academic'' subjects are important in preparing them for
careers. Yet, several students said ``practical skills'' should be
stressed. color. Graphic: Chart by staff: What's important? color. KEYWORDS: MGR