I was trained as a teacher, and the basis of this story is the reason I quit- at least from the lens I read it from. I'm not sure if Vonnegut was writing about modern education, but the similarities are striking. We've been prescribing the same blanket subjects to kids for years, despite any talents that stand out, aside from exceptional cases. You love music, but you can't work grammar or remember math equations? Failed. You're a chemistry fanatic, but when you get into college your personal tastes don't mesh with the prescribed course load of maths and basic lab courses? Too bad. You're head jumps around too much to focus on this novel? Take these meds, or drop out. Today you have to satisfy a certain mold in order to gain the recognition needed to receive outside help for your interests. Most of our education system will only benefit students if they're perceived as "good students", which means kissing ass when it comes to grades, standardized tests, and moving along through the prescribed course loads. The extra burdens, and the time wasted on things students will never think of again after the test, are handicaps for students who have wishes beyond what schools promise them.