Except that when Harris killed grade 13, we had a double cohort of grads trying to get into university. I also think they cut grade 13 in one academic year instead of phasing it over a number of years, thus causing the double cohort. I think had to increase funding to the colleges and universities to handle the load. We might have saved some taxes, but we spent the savings to deal with the double cohort.Getting rid of grade 13 was a wonderful thing. Every kid in Canada except those living in Ontario had to be in school a year longer than everybody else. A complete waste of time. If kids in every other province in Canada and across the world can complete highschool up to grade 12 or less, so can Ontario's kids. Harris knew how to govern.
I seem to recall that we had a choice of graduating in 4 or 5 years regardless if we were going to college or university. As far as I remember grade 13 was optional, but most took it anyway. It seems to me that if there's 4 years of high school, you have to a clear plan with what career you want to pursue starting at grade 7 or 8. I had no idea what I wanted to do at that age, so I'm guessing that most kids are still like that. The school system and guidance councillors are useless so I'm not sure how a grade 7 kid would have the decision making skills to pick the required courses needed in high school and then for university or college.
I'm wondering if it would be useful to have a mandatory year off between high school and college / university so the students and parents has time to reflect on what they want to do before making the big investment.