TCTT Linearity

I was thinking about Jenna's and others reactions to the TCTT report and about the feasibility of such massive reform.  I came across an interesting site.  Georgia's Republican governor (Perdue) has established a TCTT task force chaired by Dr. Charles Knapp (chair of the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce, which produced TCTT) - www.gaosa.org/toughtimes.aspy.  

One issue I take with the TCTT report and some of the reading from last week is the streamlining of the high school to college pathway and the linearity that seems inherent in the construct.  If we are trying to develop a more creative workforce, as is advocated in TCTT, then the push to stream students from high school directly into college may be counter-productive.  It is fairly common in other countries for students to take time off between high school and college either to travel and work in other countries (NZ, Australia, EU) or for some sort of compulsory public service (Germany, Israel).  Unfortunately Americans have few options of this sort mainly due to the fact that we refuse to offer reciprocal work-holiday schemes with other nations.  Such schemes can potentially allow lower income groups to access travel by allowing them to work in foreign countries.  

I wonder if streamlining students into career paths and universities may work against developing a creative workforce.  Perhaps post-secondary degree completion could be increased by allowing and encouraging students to delay their college experience and gain intermediate experiences that may help to motivate and focus their post-secondary education.