Seems like we have several people on the same wavelength here on this topic.
Do you think it's possible in America to change things in the short term the way many are describing here? I think it would require a big shift in the current mentality to accomplish it. We've talked before on this forum, for example, how the GT label somehow appears elitist. In America, we're all supposed to be special.... We all deserve the same education, as opposed to all deserving education appropriate to your academic level.
It also seems strange to me that there is such a lack of equality in the respect that seems to be given to a highly-skilled/talented blue collar worker and a typical white collar worker.
If we're really worried about 25% of Americans not finishing high school, and I think we should be, then I agree with the points from PPs like Val who talk about things like offering career inventories, and trade classes/apprenticeships at high school. But to get there, we'd need to remove the stigma from those kinds of jobs first.
Just my ramblings....
