They aren’t even factoring in that a HS diploma may now involve a lower level of education to begin with.
Not “may” involve. It does. I saw a great program on PBS a few weeks ago about the state of our schools relative to business. The main talking points I took with me were:
1. Years ago, businesses were glad to hire HS grads and they could train them to do a job because HS grads had reached a certain level of education and skill (critical thinking skills, could spell, write; do basic math, etc. etc.and maybe even more skills such as those that were taught in Vo Ed programs).
2. American Business can no longer rely on HS grads. The grads coming out now cannot be trained and do not have the requisite education needed.
3. American Business now must hire college educated grads. College is now a sort of credentialing institution that ensures businesses will get the person they used to be able to get from HS.
4. American business is increasingly finding that even college educated is not enough, since even the colleges are turning out dumbos.
5. Problem: What do we do now? Do we send more money, change the institutions, etc. (and this was the point of the whole debate).
I work with high school students in CA. I can tell you this: after at least 5 years in our educational system, they still cannot tell me who Thomas Jefferson is and have only a vague idea about Lincoln.
They don’t know how to spell, are not sure what “indent” means, struggle to write a 5 sentence paragraph, have no understanding of phonics, cannot tell you what a veteran is, and hate to read.
Finally, though we provide them free breakfast and lunch, free medical care, free prenatal care (if they need it) and a free education, they root against the US in the World Cup competition and wear the shirts of their “real” country (though many of them were born here).
In two years, they will be voting.
Be very afraid, America. These voters will vote exactly as they are told to by the Democrats and will never do one bit of analysis of the issues.