The real problem is that public education for the last few decades has been focused on the college-bound student. If your background, family financial status, o

The real problem is that public education for the last few decades has been focused on the college-bound student. If your background, family financial status, or academic record indicate that you are not going to college, you are a non-entity (possible exception if you are athletically gifted). If you are not college-bound you get no real attention or guidance. You are not taught about entrepreneurship, trades, or other options that might be good for you. You are not taught about managing money, personal finance, the traps of high-interest credit debt, or anything else practical. It's assumed you'll put in your time and "graduate" (or simply drop out), get some menial job, and that's your life. Nobody spares ten seconds of thought on you if you are not college-bound.