A report from the washingtonpost.com mentions a group that encourages a return to the offering of vocational education classes for students.
Students used to have the opportunity to take courses such as carpentry (wood shop) and home economics. Yes, students were actually taught to do real life skills that they might not have learned from their parents.
From the article "In Praise of the Corporate Heart" we learn that "John McMahon, chief executive of Miller & Long, a concrete company, and some of his contractor buddies" are giving vocational education a chance in the D C. public schools. Students can study "carpentry, heating and air conditioning, and electrical work" at a brand new building at Cardozo High School.
This is exciting news to me. I remember my sister and I loving home economics and learning to cook and sew. We still laugh about a pair of shorts that she made with the leg openings going the wrong way. We both still sew or least mend things instead of sending them to the cleaners. My son also enjoyed wood shop. Books in my home today are supported by some of the bookends that he made.
Even students who plan to go to college enjoy learning life skills. Those who don't want to pursue college should have the opportunity to experience vocational classes that could help them find a career.