“Strong schools make for a strong economy.” – Superintendent Torlakson
During his meeting with BizFed leaders on Tuesday, March 1, Superintendent Torlakson highlighted key issues that workforce and business leaders all over the state of California should remember when supporting critical education to employment initiatives.
Ensure students are learning with a purpose. As the workforce continues to evolve and demand more hands on, team work focused strategies, it is more critical than ever that California’s students are garnering skills that will ensure their desirability among employers upon graduation.
California is paving the way. Career Technical Education programs in California are larger than the entire Federal Government’s because of $500 million that was secured by our state government for schools. However, we still need business, labor, college educational partnerships that are sustainable.
Why leaving no child left behind was important, and lessons learned: Education leaders learned the hard way that local control is key, that one size doesn’t fit all, and that we must understand the unique needs among sub groups and differing regions. These takeaways have now been implemented in the new Common Core curriculum.
How “No Child left Offline” will work to end the digital divide. With 1,100 school districts involved throughout the state, Internet in the home is an ever-pressing issue, and developing broadband agreements will be a critical component to ensuring students can access the Internet from home.
CA Public Education Facilities Bond Initiative + Renewal of Prop 30 must be packaged together for success on the 2016 ballot. Together, these initiatives will support new construction, modernization, CTE, high performance schools, and overcrowding relief. This will also ensure that schools are funded to the extent necessary to prepare the 1,100 school districts throughout California for the technology economy, by fostering creativity and innovation through education.
Want to stay engaged with BizFed’s workforce development related efforts? Email rachel.horning@bizfed.org.
