I favor public education but I am hoping with the advent of Charter schools, public schools will clean up their act. It may take awhile and it may be painful but public education is horrible in some areas. I am impressed with Elementary schools for the most part they have really turned up pace since I was a kid. My daughter can read much better in second grade and I could in the 5th grade, But High School seems to be lacking. They don't seem to push the kids anymore(of course this is only referring to the schools I see). A real lack of any higher math beyond algebra, their US history is abysmal no western civ or eastern civ at all. And good lab science like Biology and Chemistry are the same things I did in middle school. English and Literature seem to be OK but seem to emphasize more contemporary writings and not so many of the classics. Lets not even get into electives like basic music theory and art(they should at least teach different kinds of art styles).
If I was education king I would require the following:
Maths: Algebra 1 & 2, Trig, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus
History: US History. Western Civ, Eastern Civ
Science:Biology, Chemistry, Physics(all lab sciences)
Languages: 2 years of any 2 consecutive but must have at least 3 years of any.
English/Literature: American lit, English lit, Foreign Lit(a collection of classical literature translated to english(i.e the great russian authors, maybe sections of the Koran,Epic of gilgamesh etc) feel free to add because I am always looking for some good reads.
Health and Personal Finance-I can stress personal finance enough credit score mortgage type etc kids get screwed by not knowing this information and it takes them 10 years to get rid of negatives on their credit reports and we could have avoided this whole housing mess.
Music/Art appreciation- At least a half a year of each detailing basic music theory and instrument types, As well as a look into some of the more famous composer and musicians past and present(Jazz, blues, Classical, Maybe even early rock), As well as the same format for art and artists.
Computer Science(1 year)-I am almost hesitant to put this on here. But Kids need to learn that the internet wasn't created for myspace and get a basic grasp of the protocols and languages used that brought the internet together.

I realize that sounds like a tough schedule but the responsibility of our public schools should be to educate our children for anything they may encounter in life, I don't expect all kids to be scientist or mathematicians but they need exposer to all these things to be a well rounded adult. I would almost add in a politics and media class to look at varying views of the same issues and how information is presented to us from the media and maybe tack on a look at advertisement. 

Why is physical education important? Do kids really need to know how to play wiffle ball?

That's the problem every public school should offer it.

Regarding PE
I agree I would add PE to that list. There is so much junk science out there regarding diet and exercise a good exposure to a variety of sports. Especially cardio and weight training(bulk vs. strength vs. enduarance). I would even go so far as to make it 3 days a week.

1. The cirriculum as stated above is fine for someone headed to a collegiate environment but lets face it, not every child is headed to college and that is something that as a society we should reognize and try to chenge in our thought patterns. Just becuase someone did NOT go to college does not mean they are stupid or even garentee they will not make good money.

I know for a fact that there are manifacturing companies that are wanting for good manchinists here in the KC Metro area. Several of the companies that service my site have menitoned if I know anyone, send them thier way. The problem is that too many kids are getting pigeon wholed into the college mold and forced by thier parents to go someplace where they are set up for at best mediocrity and at worst. failure. Many times, once that child has experienced that failure it sets into thier outlook on life and sours them to trying.

While if at the saame time, we had reconigzed that this child has strong apptitude in "X" but lacks the mental discipline to be succeful in college they could have been steared towards something more suited to them and that would have benefited soiciety.

2. PE is fine as long as it is not forced and is not graded. I have heard of entirely too many kids screwed over by some vindictive, muscle brained PE teacher.

The cooling bills in summer in much of the coutry would be outrageous, heating in Winter is bad enough

And participate.  As long as you are not graded for making layups.  Although I don't know how anyone can't make a layup but low and behold I have been surprised.  Some kids can't even hold a basketball.

Most kids don't dress or don't try because they feel awkward and embarrassed that they suck. It's not like English, where you're either trying or being lazy.

For a pimple-riddled kid who has no friends and can't play any sports, it doesn't resonate.