<p>This is a good idea. Whether it will be implemented well, or not, remains to be seen. </p>
<p>The concept, though, is wonderful. In practice, the high-achieving, college-bound students will be able to choose whether they prefer to do four years of traditional high school, followed by college, or two years of community college followed by whatever they want. Essentially similar to what happens now in places with programs like Running Start. </p>
<p>For students who don’t plan to go to college, they can get out of high school (where they’re taking things that are arguably not necessary to their future goals) as soon as they’ve demonstrated basic proficiency, and then get vocational training. This will make for fewer frustrated students in unnecessary classes, and perhaps encourage these students to work towards basic proficiency faster (so they can get the heck out of high school and get on with their lives). </p>
<p>Of course, the question is how this will play out with funding. The community colleges will probably need more of it; hopefully the high schools will need somewhat less. Let’s hope nobody gets screwed when they do the math on that.</p>