AMEN! Sandygirl. We now need to teach all the skills to pass the required to pass standardized tests but not to require learning skills for survival: food preparation and safety, care of clothing whether purchased or made, child development, etc. Don't get me started. ;-) I am a proud graduate of what was called the college of home economics and spent 40 years working in a related field. Now, when it exists, it is usually called family and consumer science (not a bad name because this IS science if we weren't so scared of that term.)In the 60's shop was not an option for girls as it is now. Fortunately my father had all these skills and I learned a lot from him in this area. We need to push for reinstating life skills in the schools as well as the arts if we are truly teaching for a lifetime. OK, stepping off my soapbox