There should be two paths to GREATNESS - Vocational career and Traditional Career. The decision to follow either should be completely up to the family and individual would be optional starting at age 14.
If a student can successfully pass standardized national tests showing an acumen for reading, writing and arithmetic, he or she may chose a paid internship in any of the hundreds of important careers necessary for the upward growth of our economy and country. The first four years of this would be non taxed and 50% of the proceeds assigned to some type of retirement vehicle (social security or 401K). From age 19 and beyond all standard federal and state deductions would apply. The individual may at a later time frame decide to follow the Traditional Career path without forfeiture of any of the accommodations made for their earlier choice.
Should a 14 year old student wish to continue an educational pursuit of specific degrees necessary for the upward growth of our economy and country, they may do so with there being a set universal cost for that degree e.g., studies to become a medical practitioner would have a set cost. A payment schedule for the instruction would be provided and begin immediately continuing as a pretax federal and state deduction to the family until the student reaches age 19.
Payments for studies after age 19 would be either remitted as pretax payroll deductions to the student and/or credited hourly through volunteer participation at a rate based on presets similar to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) General Schedule (GS). The more critical the level of care provided e.g., pediatric/ well baby/ elder care volunteering would be credited at a higher rate than as an example podiatry. Once completely paid or credited for there would be no further financial requirements of the individual, however they can earn volunteer credits towards tax reduction or bank them for an offspring similar to the GI Bill’s current set up.