No child left behind

I know that regular readers of this column know that I am not a great fan of the "no child left behind" program. It is a nice sounding name but it doesn’t seem to be getting the job done. In fact there are school systems in our country where more than half of the students entering high school do not graduate. Do not misunderstand me. Have students been helped by this program? Of course they have, and I applaud the special programs for the academic talented. These are wonderful. Now how about providing programs for the vocationally talented students? We are certainly leaving these students behind. I believe that it is past time for us to provide quality educational programs for the students gifted in those areas.

I hasten to add that I do not know the ins and outs of the school systems in this state. Be that as it may I do have a suggestion for the powers that be. Begin to make plans to build a joint vocational school for the schools in Karnes County.

Folks do you realize that there are thousands of excellent jobs available in most of the states and especially in the large cities in our country? These are not low skilled, low paying jobs; in fact just the opposite is true. Why is this true? It is because we have a shortage of trained people to fill these occupations. We need plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics and a host of other areas in which many of our youngsters do not have the opportunity to receive training. Instead we have a lot of intelligent students trapped in an academic system in which they do not succeed.

I am not exactly a neophyte when it comes to talking or writing about this subject. I played a part in the establishment of a joint vocational school many moons ago in Ohio. Under the excellent leadership of Dr. Ken Crim, the county superintendent, who devised the plan and led us all in establishing a school for students with abilities and skills in vocational areas.

I am proud of the fact that the board of education of the school where I was superintendent was the first school system in the county to embrace the program and worked for its development.

Folks I have seen students that hated school, were D and F students, discipline problems and the whole nine yards. They became happy, cheerful and highly successful when they got into the areas in which they had aptitudes. Folks, not many of us would enjoy going to a place where we faced failure every day and were looked down upon because we were different and didn’t fit into the programs being offered.

The vocational school took students from all the schools in the county. Later it expanded and offered its services to students in other counties.

I can hear some of you saying that building and staffing this school would cost a lot of money. Of course it would!

I recall reading a statement that Socrates reportedly said centuries ago. "Ye men of Athens, why do you spend so much time hurrying and scurrying around trying to increase your holdings and so little time training your children to whom you will one day leave it all?" Even centuries ago mankind recognized the importance of educating the youth.

I imagine every taxpayer in Karnes County would have their taxes raised a bit. I don’t know but I would think the state would contribute to this effort and perhaps, just perhaps the Federal Government would kick in also. It is also a possibility that we might save money. If these trained students get good jobs they will become good taxpayers instead of depending on public assistance. Nevertheless, it is, in my opinion, a worthwhile project and one, if accomplished, the citizens of Karnes County would be justly proud!

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