By Tim Knue Well, Legislature is one-third of the way into special session because they haven't figured out how to fully fund schools while the Washington State Supreme Court still holds them in contempt for not doing their paramount duty. What you haven't been hearing is that all the debate on how to fully fund schools is focused on just some kids. The many high school students who are not graduating and not passing the myriad of tests required are left out of the debate. -áThis system of "College for AllGÇ¥ does not serve all. Seniors today are dropping out at the highest rate in decades due to a "college now or not at allGÇ¥ message imbedded in the "College for AllGÇ¥ mantra. College, as the state funds it, is for the upper middle class and affluent kids who can pay for a four-year degree, have parental help to go, stay and pay for the college tuition, and take on the college debt when they graduate. College tuition costs are not affordable for low-income students from any population, much less those of color.-á Even if tuition rates are lowered 25 percent by the state, students and parents from these populations cannot afford to go even if they wanted to.-á It is said there are less than 200 African-American students among this fall's incoming class of freshmen at the University of Washington. The students who are dropping out during their senior year are not any less bright or talented than those that stay until graduation; they just don't see themselves fitting into the one-size-fits-all mold of going off to a four year university three months after they graduate. They want more out of life; they and others who have dropped out of the system have come to realize that school, as the talking heads and powers that be in Olympia have created, is a system that fails to help them find their passion at an early age and then beats them up with tests. All kids need to know English and math, but it is about what they know and are able to use that is of more interest to them. They are looking for opportunities for deeper learning in an applied way instead of just sitting and getting. All of us learn better by doing. This isn't about rigor, it is about vigor, and students are looking for vigorous classes they know will take them where they want to go in life. As a result of Olympia policies, more and more students are not simply being left behind, they are being forced out by the system because there is a very desperate lack of what they need in school to use their passion and provide them with an alternate pathway to success. The good news is there are programs and classes for students who want to learn by doing, who want to take a path that leads to good-paying jobs and careers, which are interesting to them without getting a four-year degree first. These kids want to get to doing, they want to make stuff, they want to create, they want to get to work and become adults sooner than later. They want to take career and technical education (CTE) classes in high school, they want to get into the trades, they want the skills to work in areas that interest them, not four to six more years of school on the promise there may be good-paying jobs when they are done. The bad news is Olympia and those who fund and create the rules for education have determined that this type of education and career choice is not worthy of taxpayer dollars and of cultural value. Our leaders in Olympia have failed to put the resources into CTE programs that put students in position for living-wage jobs that have a future for them and their families. When they are ready and have the need for higher education, they will earn that degree, and more than likely have employer help with the costs. All of us need to demand more from Olympia; this is about expanded opportunity for all students. Tell the legislators to provide resources to expand high-quality career and technical education programs in all of our local high schools so that all of our children are valued, supported, and have the tools for success in good-paying jobs and life. Call Olympia today and demand they make it happen. -á Tim Knue is executive director of Washington Association for Career and Technical Education. He submitted this article last week on the 14th day of the Legislature's special session, which is tentatively scheduled to last 30 days.
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