Its seems a bit strange to me but I've never heard about it (everyone's saying the only jobs you can do w/o higher ed is "do you want fries with that?" type jobs). Basically, in France if you don't want long years of general study after high school there are proffessional ways. It can be practising the job at the school or you can be an apprentice (and go to school the other half of the time). Of course you can be apprentice anywhere but this way the educational system help you find an employer (to some extent) and you have a valuable certificate. Not only it means you can get an actual job in the domain of your choice but if you feel like it but you can keep studying and graduate in a higher level in the domain to get a more respectable status (and income). This goes without saying the "other stuff" (maths/french/history/etc) is easier and has lot less importance in the exam. As you get years of experience in your job (when you're 20-ish) you can then pass the "technicien supérieur" degree that will be a great help in getting a promotion or a paper track to be hired somewhere else in a higher position (and you got actual experience). edit: The first stage last 2 years. In the case you're an apprentice you're an actual employee and get some money.
France's system is so much better than the American system. Here, it's expected to go to college pretty much. For someone like me, that's great because that's what I want to do with my life, but for others it's unrealistic. There are a few technical high schools scattered around that help to prepare to either go straight to work or to trade school, but not many. We also for the most part don't have strong trade tracks in school. I really wish American schools more modeled French schools. Kids on the college prep track wouldn't get held down by kids not willing to make an effort with school, and tech prep kids wouldn't have to take fluff interfereing with what they want to do after college. But no, that wouldn't be politically correct.
then go to France. America is huge and there are so many schools that I get dizzy thinking about it. Pretty much? Whatever dood
Public school is fine for me because I plan on going to college and getting a pHD and law degree. But it kind of sucks for all the drop outs who just want to go to work and end up in dead end, low paying jobs because they have no other options.
I want to learn practically, not play a game for four years just for a piece of paper that says I know how to regurgitate information and read a history book
vocational schools are actually very common in the US. pay attention at school and you'd probably know that about a third of your classmates are off learning a trade (and probobly smoking pot while at it from what i've heard) while you're bitching about the fact that such a thing doesn't exist
