As the end of summer draws near, the minds of students across Texas are beginning to focus on the educational opportunities that will once again be available this fall in the state’s public and private schools—from the elementary level to graduate studies (at least we hope they are).
While a major focus will be on the required courses of study, an equal amount of attention will likely be given to the destination offered by following various educational paths. Regardless of where students wish to put emphasis for making a living and making a life in the future, there is no doubt that the workforce of tomorrow will be different than today and that the jobs will demand substantial planning for any significant success.
The path to financial prosperity in the 21st Century depends heavily on education and training. A key aspect of preparing for the jobs of tomorrow involves basic communication, social studies, science, and mathematical skills. The initial steps in this approach begin at the grade school level and continue through high school graduation and into college or special vocational training.
The advantages of education from the perspective of both individuals and society have been well documented. Of particular note is the fact that students leaving high school without the right tools are unlikely to achieve success in either the workplace or in higher educational endeavors.
For more than a quarter century, there has been a student assessment program implemented across Texas. The merits of the present incarnation, known as the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) program, can and should be legitimately debated, but it is the currently adopted standard by which students progress through grades and on to graduation. Its purpose is to identify the needs and strengthen the knowledge and skills of students in core academic areas in order to prepare them for the challenges they will face in the future. According to a TAKS report that was recently released from the Texas Education Agency, our schools are making good headway along this route.
Of the approximately 8,200 schools in the Lone Star State (including charter schools), nearly 90% received passing grades for 2008—12.2% achieved “exemplary” marks, 34.4% reached “recognized” status, and 42.8% were ranked “academically acceptable.” Sixty-six Texas elementary schools and 67 high schools failed to make the grade, while 46 middle/junior high schools and 15 multi-level schools were unable to reach the basic acceptable standard. A school can receive an unacceptable rating if a significant number of a particular socio-economic group fails even though most other students are achieving the desired results.
The TAKS report also revealed that Texas students are continuing to make steady progress in meeting state promotion requirements, particularly in reading, writing, and social studies, though science and math scores waned.
There were several notable demographic differences in the percentages of students meeting the minimum standard. Some 89% of Caucasian students passed the mathematics exams, while just 69% of African Americans and 75% of Hispanics had similar success.
The state passing average among students taking the science portion of the TAKS was 74%. The percentages of ethnic groups meeting the acceptable standard was African Americans—61%; Hispanics—66%; and Caucasians—87%.
Students considered economically disadvantaged fell below the average for all students in every exam category. Given the demographic shifts presently occurring in Texas, this pattern indicates the need for immediate action.
Over the next few years, many of the job openings will be in the professional or service-oriented fields, currently the two largest employment sectors. However, technically and science-oriented positions will also represent a significant portion of the overall employment opportunities in Texas.
Because the workplace of tomorrow will become increasingly complex and technologically advanced, it is essential that students be properly prepared. Poor performance in high school is a bad signal for future workforce opportunities and can have a detrimental financial impact on individuals and families. Moreover, it could negatively affect the overall economy of the state.
A notable competitive advantage for Texas in the future is our young and growing workforce. If the state is going to remain the nation’s job growth leader and stay on the cutting edge of the technologically-oriented world of tomorrow, students in our schools must recognize the value of proper preparation and extend all efforts to make the grade for their future success as well as for the future prosperity of Texas. Anything less will notably diminish the state’s long-range economic expansion prospects.