A question about non-compulsory schooling and the economy/job skills

[Trar]

So if public schooling were made non-compulsory except for the basics everyone needs to know (the Three Rs, basically), do you think people would still go on and learn marketable skills to get a job? I'm talking about vocational schools and college degrees. I'm thinking there would be a surge in interest, but everyone who is interested would have to learn the prerequisites to their chosen profession(s) individually with private/subsidized tutors or other private institutions if they are not already included in the course/job training. And then there's the fact that there would probably have to be some sort of GED-esque certification.

[WhatEvenIsThis]

That would actually be no problem.
You see, it is the compulsory schooling itself that killed children's interest and passion in things they want to do.
I am very sure that even without this shit they would want to actually learn something for their future.

[Trar]

I can agree with you, but the thing is most of the better-paying jobs in society require at least a high-school degree, college diploma or some other certification. How would employers know their potential employees are the real deal if most schooling was non-compulsory?

[xcriteria]

Big Picture Schools do something along these lines, blending work into a different kind of high school experience:

A Simple Ed Reform Solution - Connect School Life to Real Life

(12-08-2013 03:52 AM)Trar Wrote:  How would employers know their potential employees are the real deal if most schooling was non-compulsory?

It depends. In some fields, all you need is a portfolio of work, or referrals + the ability to actually do it.

(Some kinds of employers, especially larger, more corporate and government type entities, have a heavier focus on degrees and formal credentials.)

Some people are building tools for a different way to represent knowledge and skills, beyond traditional degrees. For example, Accredible and David Blake's Degreed are steps toward helping people represent all their learning in one place, with the look and feel of a "credential."

David Blake's TEDx talk is a good summary of the issue... why not jailbreak the degree?



Watch on YouTube

[Trar]

Nice to see people are working on this.