The passage of N.C. Senate Bill 14 provides greater opportunity for those who may be better off not going to college.
But the implementation of this bill needs to not discourage attending college for those for whom a four-year liberal arts education might make sense.
The N.C. Senate and House of Representatives have both passed this bill by overwhelming margins.
The bill would create two paths toward graduation — a college preparatory path and a vocational education path — for high school students in North Carolina.
High school students will choose to participate in either of these tracks or both of them, beginning in the 2014-15 academic school year.
Even if a student chooses the vocational education track, he or she will still be able to apply for admission to college.
Creating a larger group of high school graduates that are ready for immediate entrance into the work force is good for employers who require skilled laborers.
The students who graduate through the vocational track should also have a much easier time finding a steady career right out of high school.
Attending a four-year college is not always the best choice for some. This vocational track allows those students who fall into that category to excel outside of a traditional classroom setting.
