[Sea Parrot]

There was a time when this country abounded with schools offering, mechanical, machining, carpentry, and welding courses,

Budding shade tree and bailing wire mechanics loved working on their jalopies. Dad’s saw to it that boys grew up fixing everything with anything, as a matter of course they repaired appliances, cars, farm tractors and equipment.

Today, most people do not even know where to check the oil, let alone change it.

[ClearCase_guy]

When I was in High School, we had wood shop and metal shop. The school once had an automative repair class, but stopped it before I came along. This was an upscale college preparatory public high school, but knowing how to make things or fix things was just considered part of what anyone ought to know. We had Home Economics classes too -- cooking, sewing, household budget, etc. This was basic knowlede required by life.

Today? All of that is gone. They kids don't know the rules of grammar, can't multiply without a calculator, don't know when WWII was fought, and they can't make or fix anything either.

We spend vast amounts on education, and today, nobody don't know nothing.

[RC2]

The charter high schools need to bring these skills back. I remember being in auto class and it was a blast. From there I built many hot rods, with the help of my dad. The competition in those classes was amazing and carried over to jobs I had. It was a way of life for us back then.