Public School Education

My kids go to one of the lowest rated school districts in the country, Clark County, Nevada. It is no mystery to me why. Let me first say that my kids aren't the most dedicated students in the world. What I try to get across to them is not necessarily that they retain everything that is being taught but at least have enough pride in yourself to want to do the best job possible. However, it's hard to maintain this attitude when your school district is administering proficiency exams on topics that no one outside of NASA will ever use, requiring they be passed or no diploma. For example, my daughter has trouble grasping geometry and other complex math equations. But for some reason the school district has deemed this an essential tool to be mastered as a requirement for graduation. Only problem is when I ask them if the school has any tutorial type programs to help her, they have none. I would rather see schools geared more toward vocational type training with basics in math, English, history and science. Electives can be made available for those students who want a career that requires more in depth study. This would solve two problems, graduation rates would rise and kids would leave school more prepared for the real world.