I want to throw out another angle that I think is relevant: The curriculum broadly is determined by the school board. The school board tends to be made up of

I want to throw out another angle that I think is relevant: The curriculum broadly is determined by the school board. The school board tends to be made up of more "well off" people. They will prioritize the types of classes that they took to get them where they are. If you are on the school board, you are most likely not a house wife, not a mechanic, not a seamstress, etc. So you get a prioritization on classes that lead you down the "four year degree, rise to management" type of life.