OPINION: Funding for Vocational/Career Technical Education in California Schools Is Essential for Student and Economic Success

By Assemblymember Patrick O'Donnell

Schools must prepare students for college — or for work.

Every good paying job does not require a college degree and every student is not going to get a college degree. Statistics support these facts. Thankfully, California’s education policy is starting to support these facts as well.

Approximately 30 years ago, California educational policy altered its course. It went from a model that offered students “multiple paths” to success (i.e., vocational opportunities) to a “one-size-fits-all” approach in which every student would get a four-year university degree.

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