Transcript Pathways to Prosperity: Meeting the Challenge of Preparing

Pathways to Prosperity:
Meeting the Challenge of Preparing Young
Americans for the 21st Century
William C. Symonds
North Carolina Summer Conference
Greensboro, North Carolina
July 24, 2013
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KEY ISSUES TO CONSIDER TODAY
• THE PATHWAYS CHALLENGE IMPACTS
EVERY FAMILY IN AMERICA
• WE NEED TO FIND WAYS TO PREPARE
MORE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS
* The key role of Career Guidance/Career
Education
• WHY WE NEED A NATIONAL MOVEMENT
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The Pathways Project: A Brief Review
• LAUNCHED: FALL 2008
*Two Key Questions
*The Research Phase
• THE REPORT
* Release: February, 2011
• RESPONSE:
*40 States: Every Region of the Country
*Statewide conferences: NE; NH; HI; IL; RI
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“Creating Pathways to Prosperity”
• MARCH 18-19 at Harvard
• WHO ATTENDED:
*More than 400 people; more than 100 speakers
*From 42 states and 4 foreign countries
STAKEHOLDERS REPRESENTED:
• FFA
• Business
• Educators
• Government
• Young People
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AGENDA
• THE PATHWAYS REPORT
• HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CONFERENCE:
*Providing effective Career Guidance
*Creating World-class CTE
*The Critical Role of Business
• MOVING FROM THEORY TO ACTION: THE
NEW YORK EXAMPLE
• IMPLICATIONS FOR N.C. AND AG
EDUCATION
• NEXT STEPS FOR THE MOVEMENT
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What is the Pathways Challenge?
The United States is increasingly failing to prepare
young people to lead successful live as adults:
• The Key Role of Education in the American
Century
• We have lost our global leadership in educational
attainment and achievement
• Teen and young adults (20-24) are increasingly
unable to find work
• Mounting social problems: Youth poverty; decline
of the family; huge economic challenges
• THE DANGER: A WASTED GENERATION
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A More Demanding Labor Market
• In 1973, a high school diploma was the passport to
the American Dream. 72% of the workforce of 91
million had no more than a high school degree
• Today, PSE is the new Passport. Nearly 60% have
at least some college.
• Tomorrow, PSE will become even more important.
63% of all jobs will require at least some education
beyond high school.
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College for All does not mean everyone needs a B.A. Even in this decade
most jobs do not require a B.A.
Source: March CPS data, various years; Center on Education and the Workforce forecast of educational demand to 2018.
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Good Jobs that DON’T require a B.A.
• What is a “Middle-Skill” job?
**Education beyond HS, but less than BA
**Pay Middle-Class Wages: $35,000 to $95,000
• There are 29 Million Middle Jobs
**More than 11 million pay $50,000-plus
• EXAMPLES:
**Agribusiness;Food Production; Culinary
**Healthcare: Radiation Therapists; Dental
Hygienist; EMTs
**IT: Including IBM
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What are the Trends in North Carolina?
By 2018, NC is expected to have some 5 million jobs:
• 59% OF THESE JOBS WILL REQUIRE PSE
• BUT ONLY 28% WILL REQUIRE A 4-YEAR
DEGREE OR HIGHER
• 31% WILL REQUIRE AN AA DEGREE OR
SOME COLLEGE
• SO 2-YEAR DEGREES AND CREDENTIALS
ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN BA’S
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Why we face a Skills Gap
• We have convinced many students/parents there is
only “one road to heaven”
• But this “pathway” is out of step with labor market
demand
• Examples:
**Manufacturing
**Agribusiness
** Commercial and Industrial Construction
**Culinary/Hospitality
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Implications for Agriculture
• Agriculture is one of the largest industries in the
U.S.: Total food sales estimated at $1.5 trillion
• The U.S. is a global leader: We are number one in
ag exports; and export THREE times as much as
China
• Opportunities are enormous:
*World Hunger: USDA estimates we must boost
production 70% by 2050 to feed 9 billion people
*Growing focus/attention on health/nutrition
means great need for innovation/entrepreneurship
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What is the right goal for the U.S.?
“College for All” needs to be broadened to mean a
meaningful “post-high school credential” for all
Pathways should reflect the skills needed by industry
A meaningful credential can be earned in many ways:
• Community college/Technical college
• Apprenticeships
• The military/community service
• Four year college
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Stagnant High School Graduation Rates
Despite two decades of reform, H.S. graduation rates
have not changed much since the 1980s
Note: Does not include GED recipients. Unless indicated, does not include recent immigrants. Rates are
for age group of 20-24 or 25-29 dependant on their age at the time of census
Source: Heckman and LaFountaine (2007), U.S. Census data, and other sources
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U.S. “on time” college completion rates are alarmingly low
Note: Two-year schools have a three year graduation window. Four-year schools have a six-year window
Source: Higher Ed info-NCES/IPEDS Graduation Survey.
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The current U.S. reality: only 40% of 27-year olds have earned an A.A. degree
or higher
Note: Represents data collected in surveys between 2006-2008; GED is approximation based on data from GED Testing Program.
Source: Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement.
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Cracks in the Four-Year-College Facade
Four Year Colleges still serve as the gateway to
many rewarding careers
BUT:
• Far too many students never earn a degree
• Student debt is a growing problem
• Many graduates cannot find good jobs
These trends are going to produce major changes:
• Growing focus on effectiveness and ROI
• Shrinkage/failure of institutions that don’t adapt
• Increasing role for online/hybrid instruction
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Are our youth Career Ready?
U.S. Employers increasingly complain that young
adults lack “21st Century Skills”:
• “Are They Ready To Work?” Report
• Partnership for 21st Century Skills
• Tony Wagner’s “Seven Survival Skills”
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Trends in the Employment / Population Ratios of
Teens, Selected Years, 2000 – 2011 (in %)
50
45
45.5
40
37.2
37.6
Per Cent
35
30
26.8
26.3
2010
2011
25
20
15
10
5
0
2000
2003
2006
Year
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Why Are We Failing To Prepare So Many Youth?
• Our focus has been too narrow
• We need a broader, more holistic system of
Pathways to Prosperity
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Lessons from Abroad
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The U.S. has fallen from 1st place to 13th in high school graduation
Note: Approximated by percentage of persons with upper secondary or equivalent qualifications in the age groups 55-64, 45-54, 35-44, and 25-34 years.
Source: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
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Why Are Other Countries Surpassing the U.S.?
• The key role of Vocational Education
• The OECD’s “Learning for Jobs Report:
Reviewed VET (Vocational Education Training in
17 Countries
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In many European countries over half of upper secondary students are in
vocational educational and training
Source: OECD (2008), Education at a Glance 2008, OECD indicators, Table C1.1, OECD, Paris.
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The Case for Vocational Education Training
Pedagogical
• Best way for many young people to learn
• Apprenticeships support developmental needs of
young people
Higher attainment
• Many countries with best VET systems surpass the
U.S.
Finding work
• Facilitates transition to labor market
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The Bottom Line
• Foreign systems are far from perfect, and cannot
be imported directly to the U.S.
• BUT: The U.S. is increasingly an outlier on
vocational education
• We can use the principles and practices of the best
VET systems to develop an improved American
approach
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THE ROAD TO A PATHWAYS SYSTEM
1. Provide high-quality career guidance
2. Create multiple pathways that provide all young
people with high-quality options
3. Engage Employers in a greatly-expanded ways
4. Develop a National Culture that Promotes
Pathways
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THE CRISIS IN CAREER GUIDANCE
1. The Current System “is broken and
dysfunctional”:
*Counselors have a crushing workload plus too
little time to do career counseling
*Counseling often only piecemeal
2. The Resulting Costs are Enormous:
*Half of students don’t get guidance they need
*Major cause of Pathways Challenge
*The tragedy of hopelessness
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A VISION FOR EFFECTIVE GUIDANCE
1. MAKE CAREER GUIDANCE A CENTRAL
GOAL/MISSION OF EDUCATION:
*Begin in elementary school
*Help each student develop a pathways plan
2. CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF CHANGE:
(1) Empower Counselors
(2) Involve the Entire School Community
(3) Provide comprehensive career information
(4) Engage business
(5) Partner with Parents
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CREATING WORLD-CLASS CTE
MAJOR CHALLENGES:
1. Recruiting and Certifying high-quality teachers
2. Creating World-class curricula
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PREPARING CTE TEACHERS
1. Today’s Crisis:
*No consistent/coherent system
2. Suggestions for Reform:
*Improve recruitment and salaries
*Develop new models of teacher
preparation/certification
*Make this a national priority
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CREATING WORLD-CLASS CURRICULA
THE OPPORTUNITIES:
• Done right, CTE can be an ideal vehicle to help
make students College and Career Ready
• World-class CTE is the most promising solution
to the Skills Shortage
• We need to overcome the stereotype that CTE is
for “dummies”
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Reading Study Summary
Interquartile Ranges Shown (25% - 75%)
Text Lexile Measure (L)
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
High
School
Literature
College
Literature
* Source of National Test Data: MetaMetrics
College
High
School Textbooks
Textbooks
Military
Personal Entry-Level
Use
Occupations
SAT 1,
ACT,
AP*
HOW DO WE GET THERE?
• INVEST in creating Quality Curricula:
*AP Exam costs over $1 million
• Partner with industry to create national
programs of study:
• Expand Professional Development
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Expanded Role for Employers
Goal: Businesses need to become full partners in the
Pathways system.
Key roles for business/employers:
• Career guidance
• Designing/developing Programs of Study
• Providing Opportunities for Work-based learning
and Work
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Opportunities for Companies
• Start the conversation in your local community
• Get your employees engaged in
mentoring/guidance
• Offer students work-based learning: job
shadowing, internships, apprenticeships, summer
jobs
• Recruit other companies/individuals
• Join the national movement
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Creating the Right Culture
• How the Bias Against Multiple Pathways Limits
Us
• Strategies for Changing the Culture:
*Communications
*Identifying Champions
• Why the Time is Right
• Building a National Movement
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Promoting the Dignity of Work
• We have Demeaned and Disparaged Many Jobs
Vital to our Economy:
*Auto Technology
*Manufacturing
*Construction
• YET these jobs are vital to our economy and
provide a realistic pathway to middle class
• We need a national campaign to change this
culture
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The Work in New York
• Problems with the Existing Regent’s Exams:
*Half of graduates are not College Ready
*Does not promote Career Readiness
• Our Work:
*Identify suitable assessments/certifications
*Promote Multiple Pathways
*The Impact this could have
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CREATING A NATIONAL MOVEMENT
•
•
•
•
•
GOALS:
COMMUNICATION: Work to change the culture
surrounding education/workforce development
ENGAGE BUSINESS: Critical to any real progress
CLEARINGHOUSE: Collect and share best
practices
R&D: Bring together the top leaders to Improve
and Promote Multiple Pathways/CTE
ADVOCACY: Work to change Policy and Practice
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WHAT CAN YOU DO?
• Help Convene a Local/Regional Pathways
Conference:
*Invite educators, business, government
*Focus on the Pathways challenge and promising
solutions
*Look at demand for employment/jobs
• Actively promote opportunities in the agriculture
industry
• Work to make career guidance/CTE a more
central part of your education system
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QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION
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