RE: Question 1: Technology-What's in the Plan

I think the key is in partnering with industry.  Education would be hard pressed to keep up with the current technologies as well as the knowledge on how to use those technologies.  If the partnering concept is carried to a wide enough concept, it should include providing equipment, knowledge and possibly lab environments or mentoring programs for high school and adult learners at the work site.  We have a high school student in my work group now that was here to learn about web page development.  He worked with an employee partner and created an end product for the department.  His education soared with no financial impact to the organization since he worked in a shadow mode while he was here.  Our student is now entering college with some practical skills that his fellow students may not hav ereceived.