Chpt 6 Rethinking Education

I understand the transition from apprenticeship-based education to a more universal schooling took place.  Instead of learning specific skills and duties from a child's parent to take over a job position, education revolutionized into giving all Americans an equal education.  School began to teach and transmit American values onto students, which in some cases conflicted with the students' parents values.  I agree that all students need the same basic foundation in key subjects like math, language, social studies, science.  But, I also think that education needs more of an individual learning aspect as well.  Students should have more opportunities to discover information interesting to them.  Many more students would have a more clear idea of what to declare as their college major if they had these learning opportunities in high school to explore different subjects they find interesting.  For example, as a student I could have had the opportunity to study more psychology, the way students learn and teaching strategies which would have really prepared me for my college studies.  It's not important that students pick ONE area to focus on, but that they have the freedom to study in depth any information that would appeal to them.  America would have much more passionate professional is students had time to develop interests and strengths in these area instead of having to suddenly declare their majors in college with, in some cases, little background information in those majors.  A common curriculum is good for younger ages, as that information can benefit them throughout life, despite what career they choose.  But, somehow I feel like I won't be using all my advance chemistry or anatomy and physiology knowledge I had to study in high school.
I found it interesting that the chapter says it is a goal of education to have students "learn how to learn" (pg 94.)  I don't feel like i had enough information on how I can learn in the future.  In my experience, the teacher was the source of information.  If I had a teacher with me for the rest of my life, I know I could be learning.  But since they were the source of information, and it is not realistic to have a teacher follow me around, I am not so confident learning on my own.  One great benefit to technology is students can learn on their own.  They can learn in their own style and in subjects that interest them.  I don't think schools are fully taking advantage of this individualised learning yet, but they should be.