I work and live in a pretty rural area. It is nice because given that setting, we are able to focus on a lot more of the skills type careers that you might not necessarily get elsewhere. Many of our students are farmers and such, so we know they may not be going to college. We have an industrial arts program that is one of the best in the state. It is pretty impressive the stuff that those kids can make. Unfortunately, many of the restrictions and career paths that are forced upon educators and students are imposed by the government in a guise to stay competitive with other countries. Educators would love to do more to help the students outside of government oversite, but our hands are tied for the most part. We just do the best we are able.
This is where I think that it would be useful to have more direct input from industry needs, rather than trying to keep up with largely irrelevant international standard testing. At the moment, people get educated, then go into a job and have to learn what is actually relevant and add more specifics. It is silly.
Totally true. It has always been that way though. So much of what I do in my job each day wasn't stuff I learned while pursuing my degree. Plus stuff changes so much it becomes irrelevant so quickly.
And it should become irrelevant, but shouldn't still be taught in schools as if it matter :)