Why Schools Are Key to Your Child's Future

We, and our children, are in the middle of one of the biggest employment changes in our nation's history. In recent decades, the workforce has turned upside down, shifting from being mostly unskilled jobs to being overwhelmingly skilled ones. But businesses across the country simply cannot find enough young people with the right skills and the right education to fill these positions. The result is a "jobs gap" in which workers who need jobs fall short of qualifying for the many positions that companies urgently need to fill.

The good news is that states are tackling the problem. In a growing number of states, including Maryland, Washington state, Kentucky and others, schools are adopting higher standards for student achievement and bringing more technology into the classroom. It works. In states where school reform is strong, test scores are already improving.

But it is crucial for our children that more states, and more school systems, rise to the challenge. We need for all elementary schools to give students a strong start in using computers and technology. We need to expand all high school career and technology education programs. We need for all graduates to have the strong basic skills and problem-solving abilities that today's careers require. We need for businesses to help schools to teach "real-world" workplace skills that young people can use to succeed.

There is plenty that parents can do:

• Tell your school district and your elected officials that you support high academic standards, increased technology, and expanded technical and vocational education in your schools.
  
  
• Make it known to your child's school that you expect your son or daughter to gain the tools to compete successfully for all of the new job openings that exist.
  
  
• Let your child know that achievement in school really counts. With increasing numbers of employers now asking to see high school transcripts, and with job skills having changed so drastically, what your child does in school today will truly shape his or her opportunities tomorrow.