The needs have vastly changed, even in the last ten years. There are now many fast-track programs available to help people integrate into the work force in a variety of fields. This is aside from fast-tracked college programs where much of what was unnecessary is now skipped.
Automatic Heterim Gedolim gave until recently, certainly wouldn’t apply in todays world for a variety of reasons.
However, this conversation is about secular studies in high schools. Should there be, shouldn’t there be.