1) We Need To Offer Four Types Of High School Diplomas

Back in the day when the United States was a leader in education, students could chose a high school plan of study based on skills and interests. All countries that now outscore us in student achievement continue to offer most or all of these choices.

General: Students acquire HSGQE/GED-equivalent skills in reading, writing and computation with an additional of other basic skills needed to be productive citizens.

University Prep: Based on the highly successful International Baccalaureate program, this course of study would prepare students for even the most rigorous universities.

Tech Prep: An apprentice program that trains students for skilled vocations such as mechanics, construction, computers, fisheries, etc. Students who are planning careers in fields such as engineering or medicine would gain outstanding real-life skills by combining tech training with advanced science and math classes offered by the University Prep program.

Business Prep:Aanother apprentice program that prepares students for careers in business: data entry, inventory, marketing, tourism, food prep etc.

All students would be eligible to receive a general diploma after turning 16 years old if they have demonstrated the minimum skills based on HSGQE/GED levels. Students who receive this type of diploma would be able to remain in school and take as many (or as few) classes as they needed to achieve their personal goals.

In the past it was sometimes true that American students were forced to take one plan of study over another - that system was called tracking. Too often racial and socioeconomic considerations excluded capable and willing students from the choices they wanted. To avoid this, there should be flexibility so that students can take classes offered by the other programs and certainly no student who is willing to do the work should be denied the opportunity to participate in any program. To avoid stigmatizing any course of study, each should be given adequate and equal funding, and equally up-to-date equipment. Math, science and language arts offerings would be appropriate to the skills needed for each diploma.

The truth here is that not everyone wants to go to college and not everyone should. The truth is that working with your hands is as necessary in our society as any other profession. And the truth is that some prefer that sort of life rather than going to college.