Be wary of lock-in mechanisms like in some EU states where H.S performance dictates -generally- one's educational path. But with this aside, America should pursue challenging coursework for H.S age students. Linking market demand with student interest. It is underapprecatied how Indian math education [c.s probably also] is ahead of the U.S in highschools. Too bad there's no standardized certification program for such advanced h.s coursework mediated through the web by a federal authority...