Readers React: California pols have failed vocational education students

To the editor: Please tell me why low-income students have to pay big bucks for vocational degrees when California should be providing the education in public schools. (“Corinthian boosted figures to obtain federal funds,” July 16)

The real “smoke and mirrors” lesson lies in our focus on teach-to-the-test education and academics-only public school policies and programs, which leave students without preparation for life and careers. The high dropout rates for low-income minorities are the direct result of our destruction of vocational and life-skill classes that previously provided an incentive for them to stay in school.

Corinthian Colleges just provided an option no longer available in our public schools. Politicians who decide education policy in California are as guilty as the opportunists at the private, for-profit vocational school.

Ruby L. Trow, Whittier

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