[JesseJane]

There is a need for foreign advanced degree holders in the U.S. because not enough U.S. kids are going into the hard sciences and engineering. When they go to college, they waste their time with liberal arts degrees that don't teach any professional skills. Also, nurses can get green cards very easily because of the shortage - it's the national interest waiver.

Looks to me we need another government program to 'draft' students to fill *National interest* critical jobs.. Much like a military draft.. plus they come out with an actual skill when they leave 'their service'. Just like H1-B visa holders are expected (I guess) to return to their own home after helping us out here.

[doc30]

Interestingly, many foreign countries have elements of such a proposal. When you are 14 or 15 in some European countries, you are apptitude tested for the type of high school you go to. Some high schools are vocationsl, others are college oriented. In Japan, high school selection is competitive and based on grades and test scores. The brightest kids go to one school, the next brightest, to a second best school, etc. Only in the U.S. and Canada do all the students go to the same schools. There is no attempt to generate interest or to exploit the natural abilities of kids so they can be productive in the areas most suitable to them.