Murray, Charles."What's Wrong With Vocational School?" Wall Street Journal. Jan. 17, 2007.
In his op-ed piece "What's Wrong With Vocational School," adjective of authority Charles Murray argues that only people with an IQ above 110 should get a college education, believing that "...students who cannot follow complex arguments accurately are not really learning..." (pages), and that most high school graduates should go to trade schools and learn a vocation, instead. Murray cites high dropout rates as proof that one's IQ should persuade a student to pursue "market-driven" (page) career paths through community colleges. Murray also argues that varying student interest levels for a four-year education as a reason to skip college. Murray's argument hinges on persuading readers that our economy has a huge need for "craftsmen jobs" that are "economically attractive" (pages), which will allow students with minimal post-secondary education to live comfortable lives.
In my essay, where I argue that community colleges are often prejudiced as extensions of high school by those in higher social classes and are only for those who cannot handle four-year educations, I will rebut Charles Murray's limited definition of a two-year education. Furthermore, I will analyze his premises that most future jobs will not require a four-year degree and that those jobs will allow for social mobility. Also, I will tear down Murray's notion that IQ is an accurate measurement for intelligence, and I will argue that his overall views insult the educational value of community colleges and those who work and study at them.
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