Vocational education needed in schools

According to U.S Labor Bureau of Statistics in 2009, 30 percent of high school graduates did not go on to colleges or universities. The results also show 12 percent dropped out, which indicates

42 percent did not go to college. What curriculum was available for those students? How were they prepared to enter the labor force?

The problem is the curriculum of most U.S. high schools is geared toward preparing students for four-year colleges. The solution is to have a dual-track curriculum. The college type would have a more specialized education to prepare for the rigors of university environment. The non-college type would receive more practical education to prepare for needed job skills. This could be done without adding additional resources, with a possibility of reducing them. For example, the non-college type could graduate one or two years earlier.

The 2010-11 edition of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook indicates that in the next six years, 14 of the occupations that will experience the largest numerical growth are fulfilled by non-college types.

We do need neurosurgeons but we need many more home health and nursing aides, orderlies and attendants. We need architects but we need many more construction workers and carpenters. We need CEOs but we need many more customer service representatives.

Ivan Hardt

Cedar Rapids