...I do not like the idea that every kid should go to college.
I agree completely.
While in some sense I agree. It really should be not all kids should or need to go to 4 year B.A. programs. The reality is what USED to be vocational programs are now in often community college and called "COLLEGE". And it really depends on WHAT the student wants to learn if they need any math beyond Algebra II.
Second.. one thing I like about the U.S. system is that kids who mess up in H.S. for whatever reason have a second chance. Be it they just messed up and didn't take it seriously, their family life was terrible, have a chance to go to community college and improve things, and later transfer to 4 years schools. Often these students who pull themselves up like that can turn into excellent students. While it would be good if we could get everyone through a higher level math before "college" that is currently not the reality of how our system works.
