Choosing Majors in 8th Grade

Spunky Homeschool points out a disturbing new program in Florida, in which 8th graders will be required to choose from among 80 "majors" and careers.

A district spokeswoman said "This is intended to be a career plan to help them better engage in making plans for their future."

This seems uncomfortably like educational systems in Europe, which help perpetuate the class system by funneling students into college vs. jobs at an early age.

My daughter is a college freshman and is torn between several different areas of study. It's hard enough to narrow one's options when one is college age. How can an 8th grader possibly be expected to choose a so-called major at the age of 12, 13, or 14?

And as Spunky points out, certain jobs are not offered as options...want to be a pastor? Not on the list.

A school board member in Florida: "As long as we encourage students to think about it and let them know they have choices, and as long as we keep it flexible, I don't think it will do too much damage."

That's a disturbingly low goal for a school board -- hoping their program won't "do too much damage"?