"It's becoming harder to get into college and more difficult to get a job in the down economy.
On behalf of their students, Vallejo and Benicia school leaders are trying to improve their chances.
School district officials are pushing for more career technical education as an alternative -- or complement -- to a university-focused learning plan.
But where Vallejo has a high dropout rate -- 39.9 percent -- and a low state college preparation rate -- 21 percent -- the Benicia school district has little trouble keeping students and sending them off to college.
About 90 percent of Benicia students go on to four-year universities, officials said. That high rate led board member Steve Messina at Thursday's board meeting to question whether career technical education spending was the best use of district money.
The programs are typically geared for students who will go right into the workforce instead of attending universities.
Other Benicia board members and a community member said that the programs are worth it, even if only a few students benefit directly."
On behalf of their students, Vallejo and Benicia school leaders are trying to improve their chances.
School district officials are pushing for more career technical education as an alternative -- or complement -- to a university-focused learning plan.
But where Vallejo has a high dropout rate -- 39.9 percent -- and a low state college preparation rate -- 21 percent -- the Benicia school district has little trouble keeping students and sending them off to college.
About 90 percent of Benicia students go on to four-year universities, officials said. That high rate led board member Steve Messina at Thursday's board meeting to question whether career technical education spending was the best use of district money.
The programs are typically geared for students who will go right into the workforce instead of attending universities.
Other Benicia board members and a community member said that the programs are worth it, even if only a few students benefit directly."