One in five students in the U.S. doesn’t finish high school in four years, according to a the New York Times article, “Tough Calculus as Technical Schools Face Deep Cuts.” Writer Motoko Rich used one student as an example who almost became part of the statistic until he was introduced to a program at a vocational college that showed him school could offer practical information for the world after high school. He ended up receiving a scholarship at a community college, which he hopes will eventually lead to a bachelor’s degree and then on to opening his own business. But federal funding for vocational training is being cut for students like him as President Obama continues to push for higher academic standards and college graduation rates.

Read the rest of this entry »