Here's how it works in another country, just in case anyone is interested in just plain old "another way of doing things." In Germany, each student, while in high school, chooses 1 of three lengths: I think they're 8, 10, or 12 years. If you wanna be a garbage man or laborer or something, you only have to complete 8th grade. If you want to have a semi-professional job, or work in an office, you have to go through tenth grade. If you want to go to college/university to get a degree & a technical or highly-trained position, you go through 12th grade. THEN you go to college for your Doctor or lawyer training, or whatever. Keep in mind that it's all paid for and nothing comes out of pocket from the student. Without getting into my thoughts on the German government & society, it seems like a good idea to let each student decide for themselves how much schooling they really want, and what kind of job requires it. Here it seems like parents decide, and going to a 4-year college is the defacto expected decision.