For many years and through World War II, high school students in the United States were routinely taught vocational skills — carpentry, auto mechanics, cooking and sewing, among others.

But in the 1950s an educational philosophy became popular that students should follow separate educational tracks according to their inclination and ability. Students expecting to continue their education in college would take more academic courses like English, history, science and math. Those not heading for college would take just the basic academic classes, but get a heavy dose of vocational training.

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