<p>lookingforward–because the OP suggested an 11th year diploma for kids not on a college track–that puts these kids in the 16-17 year old range. It’s isn’t about “better” just older. Again, at 16-17 they are not legal adults and that creates a lot of issues with federal labor laws, which, as I said earlier, would have to change to accommodate this educational change and I just don’t see that happening. It isn’t that the jobs are “bad” jobs, it’s that most companies CAN’T hire a 16 year old to install plumbing in a building.</p>