I agree with every word of this, especially the first paragraph. Why have students do "mindful coloring" instead of, say, taking an art class that would help them observe paintings more closely?

Re STEM requirements: To some extent, what you envision seems to be already happening, particularly for girls. A great nationwide outfit called "Girls Who Code" has things like coding camps and clubs and other programs in schools.

What students also need badly, perhaps more than Algebra II, is a solid foundation in economic concepts, such as how to "read" investment reports and corporate profit-and-loss statements. At one of my old newspapers, a business reporter told me she was shocked by how few others in her department--who were covering industries!--really understood P & Ls.

It's my understanding that some schools are moving in such directions and offering economics, statistics, and related courses in high school. So there's hope :).