Those are the words that begin one of the best articles we've seen on what the technical high school does now. It's in the newsletter put out by Schwab Learning.

It's not a matter of sewing class for the girls and wood shop for the boys anymore, and it's not lower-level stuff for the kid who can't cut it with the academic subjects. Today the students are likely to be in a class on how to run an auto-repair shop, how to estimate time and costs, and how to do the repair. In the northwest where aeronautics is a major industry, one community opened an Aviation High School.

The Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 is the primary legislative vehicle for all this. Its nickname is Tech Prep, and it requires a common core of academic study in math and communication skills. It offers the options of exploratory classes in middle school, high-school on-the-job training, high-school plus two-year college programs, and high-school plus four-year college programs.

Where seventh and eighth grade programs exist, students rotate through several classes exploring careers in agriculture, business, health occupations, marketing, consumer sciences (such as fashion and interior design), technology (such as communication and transportation systems), and skilled trades such as automotive or computer technician.

In high school, most programs offer both in-school and on-the-job training for high school credits. A specially-trained teacher develops and selects the training sites: local businesses commit to providing on-the-job training for a student who is ready to go to work while still in school. The teacher coordinates services and coaches the student.

Student organizations are also funded by the legislation. They are considered an important force for maintaining motivation, and they're an important part of easing the transition into adult life. You may want to check out some of their websites:

• Distributive Education Clubs of America
• Future Business Leaders of America
• National Health Occupation Students of America
• Skills USA
• Technology Student Association

Networking and community events are important components of all these student groups, and foster a sense of belonging much needed by teenagers finding their way. After high school, whether the choice is to enter the workforce, or enter a post-secondary program, the student continues to belong to the alumni section of the club.

The legislation to fund all this came after a hard look at some amazing statistics. In programs such as these, attendance rate runs 10% higher, 30% of students earn a B average or better, and the drop-out rate is one-third of that in academic high schools.