Many programs require the use of trigonometry and yet many students can't function in basic math. One of the reasons for this lack of basic math skills is that they haven't been required to use the basic skills often enough during the high school years as they work their way through algebra and geometry. For most students it will not require too much practice time using fractions, decimals, and division before those skills rise to an adequate level. But, it does take a focused review. But, it is ultimately the student's responsibility to learn.
Teachers can only do so much.
We are proud that Idaho now has more teachers per capita with a National Teacher Certification than any other state. Idaho may have a lot of great teachers, but students still do what they want. They can cruise through high school, learn enough to take the tests and then forget it. Or, they can learn the material because they know they will need it to accomplish their goals. Each of the Regional Tech Prep Coordinators has been working with the college testing staff to develop a way to test our tenth and eleventh grade Tech Prep students.