Toledo Public Schools (TPS) Superintendent Romules Durant’s initiative to introduce high school students to the world of real estate is grounded in a well-intentioned desire to offer career opportunities. The notion of educating students about real estate as a potential career is undeniably valuable, as owning or managing property can be a sound way for individuals to generate income and build wealth.
However, the superintendent’s proposal to directly train students to become real estate agents upon graduation raises concerns about the effective use of public school resources.
Durant recently presented this idea to the Greater Toledo Realtist Association, a network of African-American real estate professionals, outlining plans to incorporate real estate training into the district’s emerging business academy, located at the University of Toledo’s former Scott Park Campus. His pitch emphasized providing high school students with qualifications that would allow them to enter the real estate market right after graduation.
While introducing high schoolers to real estate management as part of their business curriculum is a commendable initiative, the leap to training students for careers as licensed real estate agents is questionable. The real estate business, as the National Association of Realtors notes, is notoriously difficult to break into, with 87% of real estate agents failing within five years of obtaining their license. Real estate requires entrepreneurial spirit, significant experience, and often a network of industry connections—elements that few high school graduates possess.
Moreover, the connection between high school-level real estate education and broader wealth management remains unclear. It seems incongruent to position a real estate license as a gateway to financial success for young adults, especially when they lack the personal experience in property ownership or management that is crucial for long-term success in the field.
The main goal of a TPS career program should be to equip students for careers with growing demand. While real estate may offer opportunities, there’s little evidence to suggest that Toledo is experiencing a significant shortage of real estate agents that necessitates such a targeted educational approach.
The editorial board has long supported programs that align with the city’s economic needs and the workforce’s future. TPS’s primary mission is to create well-rounded, responsible graduates prepared for either higher education or a successful career. We urge the district’s leadership to focus on preparing students for jobs that match their current stage of life, ensuring that programs are age-appropriate and aligned with realistic career opportunities.
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