Market Watch

[ultrarunner]

Im probably in a small minority as many of the younger 21 to 28 people I know are nurses or medical technicians...

The road to becoming a nurse, imaging tech, etc. takes a little more than planning and these mostly young ladies are pretty sharp and almost universally their families are very proud having seen for myself attending several graduations.

What percentage had a reasonable plan for their education? Is there anything to learn from that?

 

[rScotty]

Probably 10% or so. It probably varies. The school populace was 75% economically disadvantaged.

The ISD administration heavily pushed college. Too little focus on mastering the basics.

Ah, yes... I went to an ISD high school in Texas for 4 years. It was part of their Independent School District or "ISD" system. I didn't think that ISDs still existed. In fact, I am kind of surprised that they still do.... if they do.
rScotty

 

[Hay Dude]

In my opinion, high schools should have both college preparatory and vocational education tracks, so students can choose and start preparing or at least gaining familiarity with different options.

I think they do. The one I went to did and still does.

 

[Torvy]

Independent School Districts are certainly not unique to Texas. 30 states exclusively use ISDs and another 16 have some. All it means is that the District is not a subset of another political entity below the state level. (Meaning they have independent taxing authority). Where you live now is 100% ISD. Texas has the most ISDs because of population, but does not have them exclusively. Only AK, HI, MD, NC (and DC) have no independent school districts.

Ultimately, like any local government, an ISD is the creature of the state. Houston ISD, for example, was taken over this year by TEA because the continually failed to meet state standards.

 

[Torvy]

I think they do. The one I went to did and still does.

They 'have' them, but many (in my experience, most) faculty and administrators steer kids away from vocational Ed and into college prep.

 

[Hay Dude]

At the time, my HS had vocational education but no college focused prep programs, other than typical advanced math and science. I took several vocational classes in woodworking, welding and automotive. Even though I did go to college, I have used those skills lifelong, and I worked in a woodworking shop part time during college. Young people should focus on a broad depth of skills and knowledge because everything is useful at one point in time.

Now you’re making some sense, but many of the Ivy league ”gods” and the new-age administrators of these secondary schools want everyone to go to college. This also feeds the problem of illegal immigrants being needed for vocational jobs.

We have all the people we need here to do all the jobs we have, but our “betters” destroy that by pushing youth who belong in the trades & military to college & the crushing debt that comes with it end up working at Starbucks. Then they “import” the skilled & unskilled workers from Mexico, Central & South America.

We don’t need 12,600 illegals crossing the border per day. We have plenty of working age & strength people right here.

 

[rScotty]

Independent School Districts are certainly not unique to Texas. 30 states exclusively use ISDs and another 16 have some. All it means is that the District is not a subset of another political entity below the state level. (Meaning they have independent taxing authority). Where you live now is 100% ISD. Texas has the most ISDs because of population, but does not have them exclusively. Only AK, HI, MD, NC (and DC) have no independent school districts.

Ultimately, like any local government, an ISD is the creature of the state. Houston ISD, for example, was taken over this year by TEA because the continually failed to meet state standards.

It was a long time ago with I was a student at a Independent School District high school in Texas. At that time there were both ISD and Public Schools there - the difference included the type of funding, administration - and of student demographics.

In Texas, Independent School Districts had the power to decide which students to accept or deny. The public schools could not discriminate, they had to accept anyone in their public school district.

Our family had moved there from a state where public schools were the norm. The ISD was a new experience. It was hard to get into the school. But once enrolled, the education was excellent. Absolutely top notch.

rScotty

 

[jyoutz]

Now you’re making some sense, but many of the Ivy league ”gods” and the new-age administrators of these secondary schools want everyone to go to college. This also feeds the problem of illegal immigrants being needed for vocational jobs.

We have all the people we need here to do all the jobs we have, but our “betters” destroy that by pushing youth who belong in the trades & military to college & the crushing debt that comes with it end up working at Starbucks. Then they “import” the skilled & unskilled workers from Mexico, Central & South America.

We don’t need 12,600 illegals crossing the border per day. We have plenty of working age & strength people right here.

I agree with vocational education and encouraging young people to pursue the jobs most suited. But the illegals (that we need to figure out a workable visa program for) are doing jobs that nobody aspires to and few citizens will do: in my area that’s picking chile, onion, grapes, melons, doing landscaping labor, ect…

 

[Torvy]

It was a long time ago with I was a student at a Independent School District high school in Texas. At that time there were both ISD and Public Schools there - the difference included the type of funding, administration - and of student demographics.

In Texas, Independent School Districts had the power to decide which students to accept or deny. The public schools could not discriminate, they had to accept anyone in their public school district.

Our family had moved there from a state where public schools were the norm. The ISD was a new experience. It was hard to get into the school. But once enrolled, the education was excellent. Absolutely top notch.

rScotty

I think you are confusing an ISD with Charter or Magnet schools. Those schools are all public schools, but have a specific charter to provide a unique experience. Typically, Magnates (think school for the arts) only exist in large districts. Most Charter schools in Texas are open enrollment and overlap with ISD schools, but are not part of the ISD. The Charter is from the state. ISD is literally a political subdivision and 100% public. By law an ISD school cannot deny enrollment if you live in the district (unless you got expelled and even then there are appeals).

Private schools sometimes are large enough to have a system. Catholic schools, for instance, are most often part of the local Diocese and subject to oversight by the Diocesan superintendent and/or board. While they are "independent", they are not considered school districts, nor referred to as an ISD. Since they are private, they are not subject to most state laws on education.

 

[2manyrocks]

One of my brothers in law is smart, but given the choice between a beating and having to sit in a classroom, he'd ask you how bad the beating was going to be.