BUSINESS EDUCATION SUMMIT SUMMARY

Equipping Students for Successful Living

in the 21^st Century Global Economy

August 9, 2006

Introduction

The Wilson Education Partnership convened business and community leaders and educators to stimulate discussion and thinking about what our community must do in order for our youth to take full advantage of the future before them. Today’s world is vastly different for our youth as they find themselves interconnected with the world through technology. Yet, in many instances the education experience of these young people today is the same as their grandparents before them. The goal of the Summit was to engage business and education leaders in conversation about the need for high school reform in our community and to create enthusiasm about the opportunities we have to redesign our schools so our children are better equipped to become successful adults in the 21^st century.

Participants

The Summit was attended by 104 participants. Individuals represented each public middle and high school, Wilson County Schools Central Office, Wilson Technical Community College, Barton College, elected offices (County Commission, Board of Education, Wilson City Council), businesses, and community workforce development agencies. Some participants were also parents of school-age children or members of the High School Reform Task Force.

Program

Dr. Sam Houston, President and CEO of the N.C. Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Center, keynoted the Summit. Dr. Houston has been a teacher, principal, school superintendent and adjunct professor of education at UNC-Chapel Hill. His education career also includes work with the NC Education Standards and Accountability Commission, the UNC Center for School Leadership Development, and numerous educational policies and programs. Earlier this year, he joined a North Carolina delegation that visited India to study educational and economic strategies that are positioning that nation as a global powerhouse. He spoke to Summit participants about “Preparing Students for a Changing World.”

Following the keynote address, Dr. Larry Price, Superintendent of Wilson County Schools, reviewed the work of the High School Reform Task Force. The remainder of the Summit was spent in small group discussion.

Evaluation of Summit

Of the 104 participants, 88 completed and turned in Evaluation Forms. Evaluative comments were quite positive, with many participants expressing appreciation for the opportunity to learn and network. Many also requested more opportunities to engage the business world and educators in meaningful dialogue. Evaluation responses:

• Did you find Dr. Sam Houston’s presentation relevant to your business or to you as an educator or community leader? Yes – 86 No – 0 Some – 2
• Was the information presented by Dr. Houston new to you? Yes – 4 No – 35 Some – 11
• Was the information presented by Dr. Larry Price new to you? Yes – 17 No – 67 Some – 4
• Did you find the small group discussions helpful? Yes – 88 No – 0
• Overall, was the Summit informative? Yes – 85 No – 2 Some - 1

New knowledge/ideas participants took away from the Summit included:

• Must focus on the future, not the present or the past
• World is changing and we must change with it; Progress cannot come without change
• Need to create more problem-solving, critical thinking opportunities for students
• Educators learned more about expectations of the business community & how to better involve businesses as partners.
• Business representatives recognized education’s commitment to working together.
• Business community working with schools to promote curriculum that will prepare students for changing workplace demands.
• There is still much work to be done; thinking/mindset of many people needs to be changed for reform in education to be successful; many indicated they learned a lot about high school reform, but there are still lots of unanswered questions.
• Challenges in business community are consistent with challenges faced by schools (attendance, character, etc.)
• Need a common dialogue between education and business
• Global competitiveness must drive us to realize the need for change; must think about who our children will compete with in their futures
• “Devil is in the details” – communication about reform is critical
• Eye-opening world view of education, global competition

Additional Resources

To learn more about equipping students for success in the 21^st century, WEP recommends the following resources:

The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century Thomas L. Friedman

North Carolina Action Plan for High School Reform www.newschoolsproject.org

“Learning From India” Public School Forum of North Carolina www.ncforum.org

“Results That Matter 21^st Century Skills and High School Reform” www.21stcenturyskills.org

“State of the Workforce: Setting the Stage for a Competitive Workforce” Turning Point Workforce Development Board www.turningpointwdb.org

“The State of the South 2004” A research report by MDC Inc. www.mdcinc.org

See Dr. Sam Houston’s presentation and other High School Reform references at the Wilson County Schools website www.wilson.k12.nc.us

Summary of Discussion Group Responses

Fourteen discussion groups, each led by a facilitator, spent time in conversation regarding four questions related to economic growth, workforce preparedness, engaging parents and students, and overcoming challenges. Each small group was composed of a mix of educators, business representatives, and community leaders. A recorder at each table captured notes from the conversations, which are summarized here. The following summary reflects the collective conversation about each topic from all groups.

Economic Growth

If your company considered expanding, what factors relating to education and preparation for the world of work would prohibit the growth occurring in Wilson County rather than some other location?

All fourteen groups identified lack of a skilled work force as the primary deterrent to company expansions. Specific desired skills that are not prevalent in the current applicant pool include computer skills, complex thinking skills, basic math skills, literacy competencies, communication skills, problem-solving skills, and organizational skills. Attitudes were also identified as a major drawback, specifically the lack of a strong work ethic in our community. Participants said they would like to see more job candidates who are motivated to work, are regular and prompt in attendance, can work as a team, can follow instructions, demonstrate desirable character traits, and seek personal growth opportunities. Many groups discussed an additional factor, not specifically related to education, and that is Wilson’s ability to compete with other communities to attract and keep families as residents.

How do these factors relate to the education of students in Wilson County?

All groups discussed the need to make education more relevant to our students, with multiple opportunities for students to gain experiences that make them aware of local job opportunities that exist. Students also need to be prepared to enter the competitive global job market. Strategies suggested include expanding apprenticeships and internships for more students, aligning school curriculum with local business needs, expanding career exploration opportunities in middle and high school, emphasizing vocational and technical training programs, and integrating ethics and character education. In order to compete globally, students must be comfortable operating in a technical environment and proficient in the use and application of technology.

Workforce Preparedness

What jobs do you foresee in the workforce at your business?

Eighty percent of the groups said jobs will require the use of technology and/or will involve the use of complex machinery Jobs in health care, pharmaceuticals, and the medical field will be available. Jobs requiring semi-skilled workers who can perform labor-intensive tasks, such as construction and automotive repair, will increase. Customer service, hospitality and retail positions will be available. There will be an increase in the need for job applicants who possess bilingual skills and supervisory/management skills.

How does preparation for these jobs relate to Wilson County’s high school reform initiative?

Students must connect instruction and curriculum content with real world situations. All students should be engaged in relevant learning that prepares them to enter the work force or to continue their education after high school. Students should be exposed to a variety of careers, and even need to be prepared for jobs that do not yet exist. Students need to realize they have many different options. Parents and the business community must be involved. Teachers, students and parents must be willing to embrace change.

What academies might be best suited to Wilson County Schools in order to prepare students for future jobs?

Almost every discussion group identified technology/engineering and medical sciences/health care as important academy themes. Other focus areas included fine and cultural arts; math/science/bio-tech; manufacturing/industrial; business/retail/entrepreneurship. One group suggested that a teacher academy be included to promote the teaching profession and to help develop future teachers for our local schools.

Engaging Students and Parents

Regular attendance is important, both in schools and in the workplace. What can businesses do to help the school system promote regular attendance and keep students from dropping out of school?

Many groups re-emphasized the importance of partnering businesses with teachers to help guide students and foster an interest in career exploration. Guest speakers from businesses can visit classrooms to talk directly with students about expectations in the workplace. Business leaders can speak to parents at PTO/PTA meetings. Businesses can provide job shadowing, tours, apprenticeships, and other opportunities for students to spend meaningful time in the workplace, where they will see firsthand that regular attendance is valued. Businesses are encouraged to follow wage and hour regulations regarding student employment and to limit the number of late evening work hours. Schools and businesses can work cooperatively through the Renaissance Program to reward good school attendance. Businesses can support Wilson County Schools’ character education initiative.

How can businesses and schools work together to involve parents more in their students’ education?

Employers can encourage parents to become involved by providing flexible schedules and allowing time away from work to attend parent conferences, report card pick-ups, PTO/PTA meetings and other school functions. Businesses can communicate school and education-related information to employees. Schools can be more flexible about scheduling meetings that parents are expected to attend, striving to offer alternate times and locations that accommodate parents’ work schedules. Schools and businesses should use all available forms of communication to inform parents and to promote the value of education.

Overcoming Challenges

What challenges are making our community reluctant to endorse high school reform?

Existing school loyalties, resistance to change, fear of the unknown, tradition, and a lack of understanding about the need for reform were identified as major challenges. Logistical questions about school athletics, transportation, academy themes, school choice, teacher assignments, funding, facilities and other details abound in the community. The community needs to understand that high school reform is a national concern, not just a Wilson County conversation topic. A lack of knowledge, incorrect information, misperceptions, and preconceived assumptions must be replaced with trust and a shared vision that focuses our community on providing educational opportunities that insure success for all students in the 21^st century.

How can our community overcome these challenges?

It is important that we, businesses and schools, work together using a common language to educate the community about the positive outcomes of high school reform. A variety of public relations strategies were suggested including community meetings, media coverage, employee newsletters, parent newsletters, open dialogue, forums, peer-to-peer conversations, and community speakers. The school community, the higher education community, the business community, and the retired community all need to be engaged in the process.