I stand by that every class-year should begin with an explanation of why you're expected to learn the topic and what skills you're expected to develop in the class, along with a paragraph or two sent to the parents on it. It won't fix everything, but it will encourage students to quit thinking of their literature classes as a waste of time because they're going into STEM or that their science classes are a waste because they aren't.

I hated civics class and thought it was boring, but my mom made clear I was inheriting this country and I needed to know how it worked so I paid attention and by the end I was the sort of person who doesn't avoid jury duty and who doesn't resent paying taxes, just what's done with thst money. Similar for learning to write and speak from my father who made clear that a stem job involves a lot of writing and public speaking.