Free Woodworking Plans

Every year my son is scheduled for a shop class? Is this typical around the country?

When I was in school (about 15 years ago) all kids (boys and girls) were scheduled for shop class in one semester and home economics in the other semester. This gave balance to our education; learning about things that may not be part of our social gender experience. I loved shop class! I learned how to use many woodworking tools I've never seen before. I loved learning how to spot weld and making useful things of both wood and metal.(art deco wall sconce, pegged shelf, step stool) I can only guess the experience for boys was similar in home economics (cooking, sewing, budgeting and recycling) Is it typical for schools to schedule kids for classes based on gender now? Sorry, but this seems a little @$$ backwards.

Public Comments

1. Well, here in California there are so many academic demands on the students that few get the advantages of having a shop or Home Ec. class. Schools do offer electives and these are open to all students it is just a matter of finding one you like that will fit into your schedule.
2. Where I am from, boys and girls are scheduled for both classes together. I don't think schools can make that determination based on sex. I mean that would really contradict a lot.
3. When I was in high school (I won't say how long ago that was-lol),girls had home econonmic classes,where boys had shop classes. When my kids were in high school,my son had a cooking class,where my daughter had "woodshop",but this is what they chose to do. (It was for extra credit.) Now-a-days, I think it depends on the particular's school cirriculum. It may not be required to take a shop class,but I'd say it would be good for learning a trade,and earning extra credit.
4. training in shop class shd be given on that item of work in which student finds interest...