kitchen table math, the sequel: I guess there's a reason why they call it compulsory

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

I guess there's a reason why they call it compulsory

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8 comments:

VickyS said...

Compulsory is the whole problem to begin with, I sometimes think.

If a state is going to raise the legal dropout age to 18, then the state should offer some practical alternatives to high school for 16-18 year olds, like vocational programming. Why has vo-tech disappeared? Long after all the 21st century jobs are outsourced to Asia, there will still be a need here for hairdressers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics and nurse's aids.

October 27, 2009 at 10:20 PM
lgm said...

We have vo-tech here in NY. Most districts outsource to BOCES. The students don't want to be there either. The need to become capable of supporting oneself via legal means is not on the personal radar.

October 28, 2009 at 6:16 AM
Anonymous said...

A relative was the principal of a large vo-tech high school, retiring in the 70s. The programs offered included tool&die, auto mechanics, sheet metal, carpentry etc, plus the full range of office options, a full cosmetology course and a nurse's aide program. My relative was proud of the fact that he had added an LPN (licenced practical nurse) program.

I guess those have been tossed overboard in the wake of the anti-tracking movement. I see nothing wrong with tracking, as long as the track is the student/parent choice.

October 28, 2009 at 6:43 AM
SwitchedOnMom said...

The Montgomery County, MD board of education just came out with the same position: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/27/AR2009102700642.html?wprss=rss_education

October 28, 2009 at 7:10 AM
Unknown said...

You can make them come to school, but you can't make them learn.

October 28, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Ari-free said...

vo-tech is fine if all you're interested is employment. It's not enough if we're interested in a civil society that will vote on critical issues.

October 28, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Anonymous said...

Ari, I disagree. Just because someone works in vo-tech doesn't mean they don't have the desire or ability to understand issues. It certainly isn't true of most of the people I know with vo-tech backgrounds, across several, very different states. A number of them own profitable businesses. On the other hand, I know a number of college grads who drifted through school without acquiring knowledge or skills and who have no desire to be informed citizens. They are still drifting along with weak work habits and no visible ambition. I think we, as a country, have more need of good auto mechanics, plumbers, electricians, hairdresses, OR techs etc. than we do of anthropologies or "studies" grads.

October 29, 2009 at 6:49 AM
Anonymous said...

Oops, I meant "anthropologists."

October 29, 2009 at 6:50 AM

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