I think the CTO will need to first analyse what are teh top technologies needes for the US to meet goals such as energy independence. If educational programs don't sufficiently address these needs, supplement the educational system with apprenticeships. To fill these, I think there should be some sort of practical testing, because history has shown time and time again taht academic knowledge, and a talent for practical application, are NOT the same thing - a person can have straight A's, but not be able to apply book-knowledge to solving practical problems.

Actualyl, that's true of pretty much everything. Grades and "social service" are not the whole story - practicaly talent and especially practical genius tend to occur where they're commonly overlooked.