My two children graduated the Ohio K-12 system and participated in what used to be known as the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option by taking college classes in their high school years. The older child decided not to pursue a college degree but a career in aircraft maintenance over 25 years ago at a nearby technical school in another county.
She seems happy with her career decision and a good paying job in that field in Ohio. Her husband pursued a similar path in the rural Ohio county where he grew up. They have both moved into management or administrative positions in that field. My younger child used the college program fulltime instead of taking classes at the local high school – except for a summer physical education class for required credit. He got an associates degree before his high school diploma and his bachelor’s degree from OSU about a week after receiving his high school diploma almost 20 years ago.
He also seems to be happy and doing very well in his chosen career, a dual citizen still working on his educational credits in his host country, and serving in a financial management position in a construction firm. He says he is still happy that he pursued his education that way.
Critics of such academic programs, including within our education systems, are slow to accept that students and the community can benefit through various options and opportunities and paths to achieve education and career goals. Criticism used to point out the flow of the state portion of tax dollars from the local school district to the colleges. I say: TOUGH!
