My area (TX) has been developing some really good community / technical colleges. The really effective thing they have been doing is having industry-funded programs.

So a kid can do something like go into Petroleum Engineering which may be an Exxon funded program. The student can then transition into intern program at Exxon.

So from a 30,000 ft level you have:

• cheap tuition (~$3000 per semester)
• Exxon gets candidates trained to it's requirements.
• school gets industry subsidy money
• kids get practical education + oppurtunity

I really hope this idea starts spreading as it appears to be the way out for many young highschool graduates.