Comments about ‘Future of hands-on learning discussed at Canyons’

CTE is a very expensive, misguided part of our public education system. It is considered "core", but obviously is not "core" curriculum. It is a graduation requirement, which is silly for many, many students whose time and effort would be much more well spent focused on the academic field they are planning to pursue.

Yes, you can say "well rounded" is important, but there are millions of ways for children to become "well rounded" and their parents can often provide those opportunities. Our science and math students who are reaching for doctorate level education really don't need to waste their time in CTE in high school.

If people want it, then okay. But it should NOT be a graduation requirement and considered "core" curriculum.

I have great respect for Dr. Doty who had the guts to question such a ludicrous part of our education system.

BTW, my son's only choices for CTE were sports sewing and fashion (other classes were all full). He refused to take them and didn't graduate. Scored in top 1% on GED and is doing GREAT in college.

Sounds to me like Mr. Doty is not on the same page as his legislator Sen. Stephenson, who said "taxpayers are subsidizing degrees to nowhere." The good senator from Draper wants to see increases funding for applied technology classes. Doty just wants to cut those same classes.

A few points:

1. There is more to a job than money.
2. Part of the reason (certainly not all) that the US has an immigration problem is the refusal of Americans to consider employment they consider "beneath" themselves. There is nothing dishonest or dishonorable about making your living with your hands. We need machinists, mechanics, framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians, barbers, beauticians, backhoe operators, as well as motel maids and fast food workers. Our need for people to fill these positions is far greater than our need for college professors.
3. Yes, we need more engineers and healthcare professionals, but not at the expense of the trades mentioned above.
4. It is extreme elitism on the part of Supt. Doty to assume that all Canyons students will become doctors, lawyers, engineers or architects rather than being satisfied with a blue-collar tradesman.
5. About 20% of jobs actually require a college degree, 80% require training other than or less than a bachelors degree. If 80% of students earn bachelors degrees, there is a 60% gap of degree earners who will wind up with employment for which there is no need for their degree.