Hi MagnetM! This question can hopefully extend the conversation around this week's poll: www.greatschools.net/content/poll.page

Apologies for not clarifying what I meant! Perhaps I should have put “enrichment” in quotes so that it's clear we're talking about a very subjective idea of curriculum – one person’s enrichment is another’s academic core subject. But generally languages, art, PE, and music are those currently seen as dispensable after the three Rs in public elementary and middle schools.

Perhaps this article helps with context as well: www.greatschools.net/back-to-school/summer-activities/recession-summer-camp.gs?content=1537

Technically, under NCLB arts are considered core classes. Now, whittle down to individual school districts and the interpretation is way different. It has been proven time and time again that children who are active in the art tend to do better in school - stay focused better and are better at problem solving strategies. Should they be core curriculum - you bet ya! PE is still required in most districts but unfortunately from what I've seen in several the expectations are low - and as long as students show up everyday - they will be fine. How is that helping them?

This is really a question about time because that's the difference between core subjects and enrichment. Core classes get more time. I'd go the other way -I'd be tempted to declare all classes core or all classes enrichment. It isn't about 'knowledge' for I believe that young children develop their skills but don't firmly retain details about the boiling temperature of water or the capitol of Hondurus unless they have a penchant for such things.
Children should have a positive school day that leaves them looking forward to returning to school the next day for nothing good is accomplished when children hate going to school each day. Certainly no child really learns if they're filled with a dislike and distaste for school.
For some children more art would make the day more positive - for others more math. I'd like to see children have some choices - even elementary school children. While certainly the basics of reading, writing and math and physicial exercise (every day) should be 'core', past that I see a great deal of room for enrichment classes from among which children could choose based on their interests.

I's like to see every single high school student take a course in financial literacy. Oh, some schools have courses where kids pretend to be married and carry around a sack of flour or something, but I'm talking financial literacy-- what you need to know to survive on your own. Unfortunately most people graduate high school knowing more about Shakespeare than they do about car insurance.

What I'd include in the course:

How to fill out employment paperwork, choose investments in a 401k, fill out a tax form, buy insurance, evaluate a rental agreement, basic steps in buying a house, how to use a credit card, what a credit report is and how to read it, what to look for in a bank, worker and employer rights, how to file for unemployment, and how to budget and live within your means.

I have to agree with Janette on financial literacy. The schools should provide something at each grade level that will help them become financially savvy and make educated choices.
The other enrichment course would be cooking. So many children do not know how to cook and end up microwaving food (which is not very healthy on a daily basis).