] The latest version of the federal Carl Perkins Act, which
] provides the framework and money for vocational-technical
] education, runs out June 30, 2004, and its future is
] uncertain. Earlier this year, President Bush proposed
] revamping vocational-technical education programs and its
] funding.
]
] ''It would be devastating if we lost our Carl Perkins
] money because that's the money we use to stay current. If
] we didn't have that, we wouldn't be able to keep up,''
] said Bill Davis, vocational director for Giles County
] Schools. ''We're focusing on job-attaining and
] job-retaining skills.''
]
] But federal education officials say the focus isn't sharp
] enough. They want a greater emphasis on academics and
] programs linked to post-secondary education and training.

Do these "federal education officials" understand that a large percentage of high school students these days either don't want or can't afford (or get funding for) "post-secondary education and training"? If they continue to cancel vocational programs so that everyone has to go to some kind of post-secondary, who will pay for that? Will they continue pushing down the poverty level for financial aid qualification until only the poorest of the poor can get it, and the poor and middle-class are left in the dust (because tuition will be raised to compensate for the increased enrollment)?

Who will pay, in the end?

Other articles in this vein, relating to the underfunding of TN schools and how it is negatively impacting support and staff:
http://www.tennessean.com/education/archives/03/06/33657925.shtml?Element_ID=33657925 - "Tough Times for Rutherford County Schools"
http://www.tennessean.com/education/archives/03/06/33654586.shtml?Element_ID=33654586 - "UT to cut 287 jobs in state"