I don't remember the exact numbers given, but it was something like almost 80% of high school graduates go on to a liberal arts college (for at least a year), and by the end of two years, more than 40% of those drop out of college. And in reality, only the top 20% of high school graduates should go to college (liberal arts education), possibly the top 30%, but the bottom 40% should be encouraged to go to trade schools and apply for internships right away. It also stated that the top 10-15% really don't need a formal education or a college degree because they would be able to do any job they want (in other words, figure it out without taking formal classes) and would be better off going to take classes to get certain certifications.
And herein lies the problem w/ NCLB. They assume that everyone needs to go to college. They don't. That is something created by our society by not respecting those trade jobs which do not require a college degree. Now, a college degree is not needed to do a particularly job, but it is used to weed out applicants. So many drop out of college, or make it through with no real plans but a TON of student loan debt they can't pay back. or else, by paying back the loans, you can't afford a car or house payment. I don't think everyone needs to go to college - this has only resulted in college being watered down. Not everyone needs to take Algebra in highschool - that has resulted in Algebra being watered down.
If you want everyone to limbo beneath the bar, you have to raise the bar. Now do you need to have everyone be able to limbo beneath the bar for everyone to have fun at the party? Nope.
