WASHINGTON — What role should businesses play in helping to improve educational attainment and in shaping the nation’s work force? That was the question explored Wednesday morning at a policy forum hosted by the National Journal magazine that featured White House Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes and a panel of education and labor experts.
Education fuels the American Dream, but unfortunately Americans have not worked hard enough to ensure that students graduate from high school either career- or college-ready, Barnes told the forum audience, Part of the problem, she added, is that there are considerable differences among what states say are appropriate elementary school math or reading levels.
In addition, several states have even lowered their standards, she said. The administration has asked states and chief state school officers to stop such practices and adopt common-core standards leading to students “that are college- and career-ready” and making “sure we understand what our children need to know and learn” but that also allow states and localities flexibility in reaching those standards, Barnes noted.
Barnes said that in addition to greater emphasis on STEM courses, the administration also wants to broaden school curricula in response to the business world’s desire for employees who are analytical thinkers, proficient oral and written communicators and creative thinkers.
