" What about the kids who aren't planning on going to a university? Is there a program for them? How about a business math class, a bookkeeping class, and more shop classes? How about a computer science class, web-site construction, and computer programming? Serve all the students. "

" Exactly right, alucawanza.

Not every student should be on a university track.

We should consider using the European system as a model of how to approach this situation. They screen students around age twelve or so, and put them on either an academic or a vocational track. If someone wants to work really hard, they can find a way to get on the academic track.

This system is less wasteful of resources, less wasteful of human potential. Creating an environment where ALL students are on a university track is setting a good portion of them up for failure. "

" Calling this initiative "College and Career Readiness" frames the issue in a manner that invites confusion. As if students would be taking a college track vs a vocational track. The reality is the vocational track today for electricians and plumbers requires Algebra, Geometry, computers skills and the ability to write a coherent paragraph. Ask an electrician or plumber if all they need to know is how to pull wire or sweat a joint? If the district is wise enough to require all students to take the "college & career" (needs a new name) readiness track they need to consider the problems they have created by not helping parents understand what their students need to learn in terms of level of content and skills to succeed. 21st century skills has less to do with computers and project based learning than it does with the ability to actually solve higher math problems, understand the physics of your job and write a coherent sentence. "