An interesting article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7968131.stm Education or Training. What is the need to have grade 12 if you want to be a plumber? Why not combine school with a trade and learn both?
The only reason the government wants to force teenagers to stay in school is to reduce the drop out rate. Now, not all of those dropouts are drug addicts or what have you, some are like me. If the public school system wasn't a complete failure this past decade or so, then maybe the dropout rate wouldn't be as bad. Now, I'm not going to lay the blame on teachers because a lot of them bust their butts to make sure everything is done right. However, there are some who just collect a paycheck like everyone else. Not to mention the understaffed schools, who have teachers who major'd in English -- teaching Algebra or what have you. It's really bad. On the subject at hand, I think the wording "education or training" leaves some loopholes to be exploited.
I have been employed in three different schools in two states and would agree that American education is in need of some overhaul. Being an educator, I am discouraged by those who rant about teacher's apathy, since apathy is a fitting denouncement of many vocations in our culture. With this quote, I have only one serious note of disagreement: if there are teachers who "majored in English---teaching Algebra or what have you," rest assured, they will have to prove competency in their vocation or they will not remain. Allow me to clarify how this works: if a teacher is teaching Algebra, and majored in something like Religious Studies, as I did...then the Department of Education ensures they have a least a cursory understanding of mathematics, or they do not stay. In TN, for example, you "prove" competency in one of three ways: major in the subject, have 24 hours in the subject, or pass the PRAXIS-II in the subject. School districts are relatively sovereign in how they apply this standard and many treat teachers on the alternative pathway as second class applicants. Theoretically, I agree: if you have a candidate who has demonstrated competency in the field and has completed formal teacher education, then they "might" be a better candidate for the position. If the demographic warrants the skillsets of one who has garnered cross platform competency, then the teacher on the alternative pathway might be a better fit. Apathy breeds apathy. The problem with many students is a strong "whatever" mentality. Many have no desire to work or study sufficiently. Good students have the same common denominator: educated parents (or at least hard working parents) who monitor and encourage their student's participation.
