California District Increasing Emphasis On Auto Shop

The Los Angeles Times (10/28, Perry, Blume) reports that auto shop classes in US schools may be on the rebound, noting, "Nowhere is that more apparent than in the San Diego Unified School District, where officials have built automotive program facilities at three high schools and hope to upgrade shops at two other schools if voters approve a bond issue next month." The piece explains how in recent decades, "tight budgets and a pervasive emphasis on academics, especially college preparation, contributed to the decline of auto shop." However, the Times reports, there has been an increasing interest in imparting vocational skills.