Much of public school curriculum is politically determined, thanks to changes in the past 30 years or so--No Child Left Behind, Common Core, and other crud has left public ed a mess. So, 'core' classes are all tied to state and federal testing, because testing is tied to funding.
People always have pet subjects they think are 'essential' for public education: Robotics! Computer Science! Coding is the new literacy! Teach kids to balance a checkbook! Learn to use spreadsheets! Start getting college ready in kindergarten! And so on.
Really, the public question is always 'what is education for?' The answers have always been varied since public school began. Today, the answer is largely determined by political money disbursement.
TL;DR: It's all about money ain't a damn thing funny. --Grandmaster Flash
People always have pet subjects they think are 'essential' for public education: Robotics! Computer Science! Coding is the new literacy! Teach kids to balance a checkbook! Learn to use spreadsheets! Start getting college ready in kindergarten! And so on.
Really, the public question is always 'what is education for?' The answers have always been varied since public school began. Today, the answer is largely determined by political money disbursement.
TL;DR: It's all about money ain't a damn thing funny. --Grandmaster Flash