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> I have a crazy idea around this: End high school sooner. YES, YES, YES! As a teacher at a rural high school (the same one I went to and that I was blessed to

> I have a crazy idea around this: End high school sooner. YES, YES, YES! As a teacher at a rural high school (the same one I went to and that I was blessed to have a few really good teachers and accelerated only classes with kids who wanted to be there), this is what's needed. Most these kids don't want to be here, and it's just frustrating everyone and lowering standards around the board. I would also say that your first point leads to something else too -- kids from not-so-wealthy parents don't understand the importance of things like internships and networking; I sure as hell didn't, compared to many of my kids (at a "rich kid" college). I took my summers to go to Europe, for free on school funding, and didn't get the experience or connections I needed to go to other jobs; that's a big part of the reason why I'm teaching where I graduated from... There's a lot of stuff I wish I had done differently looking back, mostly things like that. And I can't blame my parents; they didn't really know it either -- mom was a teacher and dad worked for the family business most of my childhood. (Really, I kinda blame the school; I think they assume everyone knows it, when that's really not true at all...). That's part of where the issues lie as well...and, once you're behind, as you mention, it's harder to catch back up.

intended 8y ago
And to add to this - It only works for people if a few people are doing it. Its a "meta" advantage that evolved after there was a stable state of people going to college and getting jobs. Now that the economy has changed, the drop of pay power in other jobs make the well paying ones stand out - and more competitive. IF everyone were to go to find connections, you would basically recreate the old boy networks and quid pro quo social networks of old India/China.
- dorchadas 8y ago
  At least where I'm at, they already still exist. It's easy to tell who will move to superintendent of our schools, who will become principle etc. It's all a good ole boy club, even now.

intended 8y ago

And to add to this - It only works for people if a few people are doing it. Its a "meta" advantage that evolved after there was a stable state of people going to college and getting jobs. Now that the economy has changed, the drop of pay power in other jobs make the well paying ones stand out - and more competitive. IF everyone were to go to find connections, you would basically recreate the old boy networks and quid pro quo social networks of old India/China.

dorchadas 8y ago
At least where I'm at, they already still exist. It's easy to tell who will move to superintendent of our schools, who will become principle etc. It's all a good ole boy club, even now.