When your kid has no idea what they are interested in

[ucbalumnus]

@martinezcs

But our public school system in Texas draws it in 8th grade when they pick a major for high school. For me this is too soon. Of course they really can still do whatever they want later but I’d rather they didn’t even go there in 8th grade. It seems to narrow their options. Their choice determines the courses they take (and don’t take) in high school. Do other states do this too?

Would anything prevent the student from getting the courses in a reasonable college-prep base curriculum, as described at FAQ: High School College Prep Base Curriculum ?

Having a college-prep base curriculum covering the usual range of high school subjects means that the student will be academically ready for any college major (or other directions that do not involve going to college immediately after high school, such as enlisted military service), rather than having closed off some of them starting in 8th or 10th grade or whatever.

Of course, specialty high school courses in a particular subject that may be of interest may be added in addition to a college-prep base curriculum. These can include such things as PLTW introduction to engineering, JROTC, shop courses that introduce the skilled trades, etc., and can be useful in allowing the student to see how interested they are in those subjects.