Education and employability |
On Board Online • October 15, 2012
It’s no secret that today’s students will face a more demanding job market than 50, 25 or even 10 years ago.
Employers want new skill sets that require a more rigorous form of P-12 education. As school board members, you have to strike a difficult balance between managing dwindling resources and making sure your students have the opportunity to develop the skills they need to succeed.
The relationship between education and employability is clear. In a recent New York Times column, Thomas Friedman reported that the unemployment rate is about 4 percent for those with four years of college, about 7 percent for those with two years, roughly 9 percent for high school graduates and at least 12 percent for dropouts (not counting those who have left the work force entirely).
We’ve made real gains in graduation rates in the past decade – even as the Regents have raised the standards for high school graduation. But, despite those gains, only 74 percent of students who enter high school graduate four years later. That’s clearly not good enough.
I know you share my commitment to continuing to raise the graduation rate. But no one wants to accomplish that by compromising our academic standards. In fact, our state is striving to continue to improve the level of knowledge and skill our students possess when they graduate. That’s why I’m committed to implementing New York’s education reform agenda.
This year, teachers across the state are using a new set of college- and career-ready standards called the Common Core. In English, there is an increased emphasis on balancing the reading of fiction with understanding nonfiction or informational texts, some of which relate to the rest of their studies. In math, students are focusing more deeply on topics critical for success in later math, and they’re presented with real-world situations that demand the application of math skills.
Teacher and principal evaluations also begin this year for many educators. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the purpose of evaluations is not to create a “gotcha” system. Evaluations are intended to help teachers teach better and students learn more. The goal of evaluations is simple: improve outcomes for students and help them become college- and career-ready. I appreciate your efforts as school board members to work with your superintendents and your bargaining units to develop effective and appropriate evaluation systems.
Change is not easy, but it is necessary. And I’m seeing that change take hold.
Over the last month, I visited schools in communities across the state as sort of a “Back to School” road trip. I’ve spoken with school board members, students, parents, teachers and administrators. In districts such as Sweet Home, Shenendehowa and Kings Park, I’ve sat in classrooms and seen some wonderful programs that are truly making a difference. In urban districts including Poughkeepsie and Syracuse, I’ve witnessed a renewed dedication to helping our neediest students graduate on time and ready for the challenges of college and careers.
It’s important to explain what’s happening to parents. In a newsletter sent after my visit to the Shenendehowa school district, Assistant Superintendent Elizabeth Wood said, “Teachers are in the process of planning lessons that are aligned with the Common Core. Our goal is to ensure each student experiences intellectual engagement in the classroom. This type of learning requires students to think deeply, work collaboratively to solve complex problems, and apply their learning.” Bravo.
In every improving and high-achieving district, I’ve noticed a commitment to student achievement that flows from school board members to administrators, faculty, staff and students. School board members play a vital role in making school reform work.
I recognize it’s difficult, especially in the face of dwindling resources, rising costs, and constraints on revenues. But it’s our collective responsibility to make sure all of our students are ready – for work, for higher education and for civic engagement.
Our goal at the State Education Department is to provide you and your school district with the information and guidance you need to help your students succeed despite all the challenges. I encourage you to visit our school reform website, www.engageNY.org, which provides information on topics such as the Common Core.
On engageNY.org, you’ll see a caption that reads, “Our Students. Their Moment.” Together, we can make sure all of our students can seize their moment. Thank you for your commitment to public education, our children and New York’s future.