Vocational/ Technical high schools are all over the country, giving their students both a high school education along with diplomas in a career field. This sounds incredible (and it is), but many people look down on these schools and the students who attend them. Here are some of the biggest misconceptions about vocational education.
1. Only "dumb" people go
To go to a vocational school, you must apply and the application isn't as simple as you think. Applicants must get recommendations and meet certain grade and school requirements. Once in the school, you need to do your work in your normal education classes as well as your trade classes, which isn't easy for young teenagers to do. You need to work hard to get into these schools.
2. You don't get a "real education"
Vocational schools may not have all the electives and advanced classes that normal high schools do, but that doesn't mean the students aren't getting a proper education. These students take the same state mandated tests and are required to learn the same topics, in half the time since the other half is spent learning their trade.
3. You aren't close with your teachers
Vocational schools give you both regular academic teachers as well as shop teachers who have worked in your trade. Being with these teachers for long periods of time gives you the opportunity to really connect with them. This connection can also happen with academic teachers too!
4. Nobody goes to them anymore
Many people think "trades" aren't a popular thing anymore, but that is not the case! Getting a free education in a trade is an amazing thing that many people take! Many of these schools have mile long (well not a mile) waiting lists for people dying to get in.
5. You can't get a good job
These schools aim at giving students the knowledge and skills to get jobs upon graduation as well as the idea of continuing their education to get an even higher level job. Many of these schools also have classes on entrepreneurship to give its students knowledge on possibly owning their own business.
