Kids today aren’t expected to learn to read an analog clock, or an actual map, or do arithmetic, spell correctly, use proper grammar, or write cursive. Many students graduate high school without the skills an eighth grader used to have. They aren’t required because of calculators, computers, and political correctness.
I always thought that practicing grammar, arithmetic and writing cursive was a good way to teach persistence and discipline. I was recently told that participating in sports does the same thing.