A nation should require all of its students to study the same national curriculum until they enter college.

Write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and explain how these consequences shape your position.

In my early twenties, I visited my friend, Alice. She was a single mother with an infant son. She shared that her employer, Amazon, had just begun to offer her telecommuting as an option. She explained that after working all day, she could come home, change, feed her son, and then work until bedtime. She reasoned that this arrangement would allow her to spend more time with her family while still maintaining her income, and her employer would be happy because the company was saving on office space and new employees. I agreed with Alice’s proposal because, at the time, I considered it a practical solution for both parties. However, as I reflect on Alice’s suggestion, I believe it is time to rethink whether a universal national curriculum should be implemented across the United States.

Even in the 21st century, some Americans believe that everyone in the United States should be required to study the same subjects or earn the same grades. Some politicians have even proposed the idea of removing liberal arts education from high school curricula and replacing them with courses focused on specific career tracks. While this may appeal to some Americans, I believe that this would eliminate opportunities for young people to pursue their interests and passions, which is essential for cultivating creative individuals and fostering innovation. One of my professors in college shared a story about the high school she attended in which students could choose among a variety of arts electives, such as ceramics, dance, sketching, or drama. Local artists typically taught these elective classes, which gave students insight into the art form and encouraged them to explore their creativity. I think Alice’s story offers a vivid example of how this kind of education can be beneficial for sparking young people’s passions. At my graduation from high school, our class had a traditional graduation ceremony, complete with the singing of the national anthem, the awarding of diplomas, and the awarding of athletic trophies. My friends and I joined in the cheers and applause for our teachers, but there was one thing that stood out: No one in our graduating class had graduated with a degree in education. Instead, we had earned degrees in fields that ranged from biology to theater to astrophysics. It was refreshing to know that although everyone in our class was obligated to take the same national curriculum, we weren’t required to do the same degree.

What if Alice had had the opportunity to study ceramics or to act or sculpt? What if she could have taken art classes in high school instead of biology? What if, instead of spending her evenings working, she had chosen to dedicate her time to learning a new art form? Instead of spending her weekends at football games, she could have attended rehearsals for a local theater company or written poetry. While Alice may not have made the Forbes 500 list, she may have become an artist, sculptor, or writer. Perhaps she would have had a personal passion or talent that would have allowed her to pursue her dream job or career. Or, maybe she would have followed her passion as a hobby and decided to pursue a career that required a different set of skills.


Every one of us has a unique set of talents, and it is essential to embrace our strengths and talents. However, by forcing everyone to study the same subjects, we risk smothering that creativity. Instead, we should encourage young people to explore their interests and passions and provide them with opportunities to explore those interests.

This does not mean that we should allow students to slack off at school. It means that we should provide them with the tools and the support that they need to succeed. For instance, we should ensure that schools have adequate funding so teachers have the resources to teach various subjects. Instead of removing liberal arts classes from the curriculum, we should continue to offer students the chance to take courses that interest them. In addition, we should encourage public schools to focus on providing students with a well-rounded education. Instead of requiring students to take four hours of math, four of English, and four of science every day, schools should offer students the opportunity to take classes in the arts, humanities, and other less traditional subjects. If our schools offer such courses, students will have a better ch

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