Not much unless a student can apply their memorized skills for the new way of work. The improvement of our educational system, not the number of degrees we hand out, is the only way the next generation can thrive in the global economy. An objection to this position is that our school system is preparing our students in the best way possible. First, we really can't blame the schools for lack of supplies or updated technology. Quite possibly our teachers are the ones who are not prepared and we certainly can't expect schools to do everything.
School is simply a basis for learning.
The true inputs to education are students, hard work, quality teaching and rigorous standards and parental engagement. Also grades in some ways do represent how ambitious a student is about school and whether they get work done on time both of which are qualities of a good worker. High schools in the United States are better than you think. Yet the following argument can reply to the latter objection. What I mean by this is being able to use technology, apply real life skills and think on their own.