State not teaching what it practices in technology, math
We're not offering enough serious choices for advanced learners in these subjects. I'll admit, I was bored out of my mind in AP Calc and it took 3 times to really beat it into my head -- but if I had a course that was more project driven like a combined Calculus and Physics course, I may have done better.
I asked why such a course was not being offered at my High School back in 1998 (Maple Grove Sr) and was told flat out that it was due to available funding. I know two of the teachers available for the course were more than willing to teach it. Students were willing to attend it. There simply wasn't enough FTEs to go around to make it work.
Instead I spent a significant amount of credit hours in my senior year playing system administrator as part of a 'tech team' that gained a ton of low level operational experience as desktop administrators. This let me get into some higher level work right out of High School while taking college courses. I'm still working on my degree (got sidetracked, but enjoying it) and consider myself successful because I was offered such an opportunity.
