FINALLY, A High School Graduation Requirement That Makes Sense

If I have had one major gripe with education in this country, it's that we spend wayyy too much time teaching courses that have no practical application in life, and NO TIME teaching things that do.

For example, take this moment from the classic 80s film, "Peggy Sue Got Married"

Sorry if the truth hurts educators, but take it from this college graduate, 99% of the world's population can get by just fine never mastering how to "solve for x."

However, a class I've ALWAYS said would be great is what I call "Real World Math."  Teach our kids about checking/saving accounts, retirement, IRAs, mortgages, financing for cars, etc.

See, you just were nodding your head and screaming, "YES!" to that last paragraph.

Well, saints be praised, beginning next year high school students in North Carolina will be required to take — and pass — a personal finance class before they can graduate.

The State Board of Education approved the change Thursday at the direction of state lawmakers. The new finance course will replace one of two American history classes currently required for graduation. David Stegall, the deputy superintendent of innovation, said the change puts North Carolina more in line with the rest of the country.

"U.S. history in 47 other states is one course," Stegall told WRAL. "So we're not trying to go against the grain. We were the exception before."

There's no word as to what exactly will be on the course syllabus, but here's to hoping it includes one, if not all of those I suggest.