Ordinary- I did not suggest (nor do I believe) that it was better for everyone. Women who could have been PhD’s in neuroscience became LPN’s (or nursing assistants as it was called then); minorities who could have (and should have) become lawyers and corporate leaders became receptionists and clerks. So not better for everyone.
But the baseline for what a HS provided was higher. Calculus? I meet kids who graduate from HS who haven’t taken algebra or trig. And yes, their teachers have Master’s degrees (not the two year’s of old) and STILL can’t teach geometry or percentages to kids of average intelligence. I tried to get a quote on flooring at Home Depot recently- the computer was down, so the very nice sales clerk asked me to come back. I did a quick calculation on the calculator on my phone (and I am no math genius, and am not a tech genius) and the clerk was amazed. I pointed out that if you know the price per square yard (which is prominently posted) and you know how much you need (which I provided) then you just multiply. And then add the sales tax. He was gobsmacked that a customer could do what his temporarily disabled computer could not.
So very sad. Calculus? Please. This is a fourth grade worksheet.