The latest evidence that not everyone is college material comes from the California State University system (“Cal State students failing, withdrawing from many required classes at a high rate,” Los Angeles Times, Aug. 21). With a 20 percent or more failure or withdrawal rate, officials still refuse to acknowledge the truth.
Instead, they want to overhaul courses and improve instruction. That will not be sufficient, which means stepping up remediation. But remediation belongs in K-12. The truth is that too many students are being counseled to apply to four-year colleges even though they lack the wherewithal to succeed. They would be far better served pursuing a vocational curriculum in high school or applying to a community college.
Our competitors abroad have long accorded vocational education the respect it deserves. As a result, the unemployment rate and dropout rate among young people are lower than in this country.
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