[Wonderama Mama]

I'm in California too in a very ‘prestigious’ school district and while there is no shortage of AP and Honor's classes, my middle of the road 10th grader doesn't have wood shop anymore. Sad really, but I told him, instead of going to college and paying for the tuition, which even at CSUN will run $20K, I would pay for him to start a business. He will need to write the business plan as if I were an investor. His school actually has an entrepreneurial after school club where kids can learn this aspect of business. It's hands on, but not for credit which is fine because he's not going to college! And we don't care! I already put two through expensive colleges and one is working two minimum wage jobs and interning for free.
We all need to rethink the college route for kids.

[GingisK]

...my middle of the road 10th grader doesn't have wood shop anymore...

I have a supurb wood shop AND metal shop in my basement. My 10 & 12 year old boys know how to operate a 12 X 36 metal lathe and a vertical milling machine. Their interest in that shop is climbing now becuase they have diverse hobbies that need "stuff" not available elsewhere.

Why oh why do people think that government schools are a solution for anything? Take the initiative: "do it" yourself.

[WOSG]

“I’m in California too in a very ‘prestigious’ school district and while there is no shortage of AP and Honor’s classes, my middle of the road 10th grader doesn’t have wood shop anymore. Sad really, but I told him, instead of going to college and paying for the tuition, which even at CSUN will run $20K, I would pay for him to start a business. He will need to write the business plan as if I were an investor. His school actually has an entrepreneurial after school club where kids can learn this aspect of business. It’s hands on, but not for credit which is fine because he’s not going to college! And we don’t care! I already put two through expensive colleges and one is working two minimum wage jobs and interning for free.
We all need to rethink the college route for kids. “

I agree.