It is my opinion that a good number of high school students are being undeserved. Today's schools are catering to the college bound who have the means and desire to continue their education. That leaves out 20% or so who do not have the desire or in many cases the means to continue an academic future. William Bennett, former Secretary of Education wrote in his book "Is College Worth It" that a student attending a Technical or Trade School has the potential to make more money in his lifetime than attending a 4 year college. This was echoed by Dr. Robert Reich, former Secretary of Commerce and now Professor Public Policy at Stamford that Industry would consider moving back to the States with a well trained workforce.
In the State of Florida there is a model School Systems follow, "School of Choice" and "Magnet" schools. Identified among the many schools are specialties or experiences a High School student could have. However most of these specialties do not train someone to graduate and start in a profession without more training. The School of Choice has another major shortcoming in that the student is responsible to get themselves to that school. Difficult when you do not have a "Soccer Mom" parent or some form of public transportation to get you there. My County is 80 miles long. Some argue kids are too young and immature to plan their future. I do not agree.
Centralized schools dedicated to technical training such as electronics, machinist, IT systems support, software management and maybe a hundred more trades should be considered. Ask Industry what they need in the future. To make this work, there is a need for support from the Counties. An adequate Public Transportation System to get the kids to and from school is a must. Industry must support this effort, they have the most to benefit. Ask them what they need. Industry told the Deseret Newspaper the Utah Schools do not train useable graduates.
There are social considerations as well. How many high school students never make it to graduation because they believe there is no purpose in it. The tools today's high schools gives them is to go to College or "Best of Luck". Unless there is an industry with an Apprenticeship program nearby their future is grim. One industry here closed their programs, they would train them and they went to elsewhere. The State Leadership will point to Community Colleges or private schools to fill this gap, but the at risk kids will not qualify if they have dropped out. If they complete their HS education, will everyone have the means to afford a school like this.
I am not a professional educator, but I am a product of a Technical High School in Philadelphia class of '67. My major was Electronics. Other course careers back then ranged from Foundry, Machinist, all the building trades, Musical Instrument repair, Culinary and many others. Students were accepted into the School after an aptitude test and a personal interview. My course load gave me enough credits to attend any college, which I did later in life. I wanted to continue in electronics in Military systems at an Arsenal in Philadelphia, but an opening was not available for several months. I went into their Tool and Die making Apprenticeship, when an electronics position opened I declined and stayed in the shop.
A Technical HS education never held me back. I retired having earned a BA/BS Management degree and later my MBA. Too much to discuss in the intervening years, but having a foundation in two technical fields was priceless for me. For today's parent, the challenge may be convincing them this is a great start for a long and successful career.