I know the pros and shortcomings of my own education – I basically did well within traditional schooling and got a corporate job that has served me well.
The education system worked as well for me as it does for anyone, despite a few bumps in the transition to working life.
But will that be the same for a kid entering the workforce in 20 years?
On top of typical schooling I would add a strong foundation in programming, some kind of art or physical craft that teaches the process of planning and delivering long projects (some kids are smart enough to grind out even a long essay in a night – or to cram for almost any test last minute- that is great but avoids critical lessons).
In general, I want my children never to think of non-academic classes and skills as second-class. That mindset led me to only discover many of my current passions years after my formal schooling.
Real internships or apprenticeships as early as possible (strive for substantive work – there is some value in learning the realities of working life but best to learn real skills too).
I am curious about all ideas, essays and other suggestions (Scott’s Polgar review is a partial inspiration for this question though I think “chess prodigy” isn’t a route I take).
I think people underestimate how little effect they have on their kids (with the exception of modeling).
You should shy away from extended degrees, enter the workforce early and have the mindset that learning is a lifelong process, not something that you do from age 5-21.
Automation doesn’t necessarily cause job losses, it merely pushes people out of latent job categories and into emerging ones. As long as you are willing to learn and adapt you’ll be fine. The longer the adaptation takes the more frictional unemployment you’ll be subject to.
In addition (I can’t remember the source on this but if someone does please credit it below), it’s a lot easier to be successful by Pareto optimizing your career. Being relatively adept at multiple skills rather than being exceptionally good at just one skill. For instance, it’s extremely hard to be the top performing surgeon but if you were a middling surgeon with a knowledge of robotics you might have founded a robotic surgery company that will make you far wealthier than any surgeon.