Final answer:
Schools may contribute to a student like Donna being unprepared for the job market by not providing vocational training or job market skills, especially for students not interested in college. Higher unemployment rates among those with less education highlight the need for additional training. Economic shifts and cultural expectations also play a crucial role in shaping educational and employment outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks what schools might be doing that could result in someone like Donna, who is not interested in attending college, being unprepared for the job market. There are various factors schools might be overlooking that can lead to a student's unpreparedness. These concerns include the potential for getting bad grades, truancy, dropping out, not graduating on time, and not acquiring the necessary skills for employment. Schools may fail to engage students who aren't college-bound by not providing vocational training or practical job market skills.
Moreover, the pattern of higher unemployment rates among those with less education is observed, which could significantly impact one's motivation to seek employment. For example, in January 2017, individuals without a high school diploma had an unemployment rate of 7.7%, which demonstrates the importance of additional education or training in securing better job prospects. With the decline of farming jobs and other traditional employment for less-educated workers, schools may need to adapt their curriculum to better prepare students for the modern job market, where there is higher demand for skilled labor.
Additionally, the role of cultural and class expectations can influence educational outcomes. Different families have varying expectations, with some seeing college as the expected path, while others may prioritize immediate full-time employment after high school. The economic events of 2008, such as the financial crisis, have also played a role in shaping the employment landscape for young adults, putting increased importance on education and training for better job security.