University training was thought appropriate for only a small minority, only those going into the learned professions. Therefore specialized training was appropriate for those not going into the professions, but for those going into trades. We keep kids in school longer here, normally until 17 years of age, but we don't feel that the bulk of youngsters that age are ready to go to work. We therefore use the college experience to do what the Germans, for instance, do in the gymnasiums. So the two systems are really on a different calendar and with different objectives, and it would be difficult to adapt our system to their objectives.
Basic skills remain enormously important.
Reading and doing math, for instance, will be essential to all further learning. For instance, it's now widely believed that exposure to the arts is not a frill, but may be the best way for many youngsters to learn basic skills. Likewise, we can now use computers in ways to enhance reading, calculating and doing art. That's a hard question. I believe that it can be a great help, if teachers at any level know enough about popular culture to meet the students on common ground, and to help them to understand the significance of expressions of popular culture in their lives and in our society.