Anyone paying attention knows the purpose of education has shifted this past decade. Those who may have missed this fundamental change can see it here: a page that captures the language in vogue today. It reflects the mission of K-12 education as co-opted by business and political leaders. This page is not simply a set of quotes. It is a mirror of who we are now, placed before you to invite some reflection. Is this all we want of schools? Is this education?
**
Gov. Polis, State of the State, 2023: “Let’s ensure that every student has access to career-connected learning while they are in high school … I want every Coloradan to have access to the skills needed to get a good-paying job that supports them and their families, and a workforce that meets the needs of our businesses to power our mighty economic engine of growth.”[i]
“If you step into an education committee room [in Washington, D.C.],
you’re likely to hear questions about how K-12 or college eventually
connects students to jobs. It’s an emphasis more than ever this year …
underscored by worker shortages statewide and nationally…. During the hearing titled 'American Education in Crisis,' Polis focused on getting students ready for
jobs.”[ii]
Amy Parsons, CSU’s 16th president: “Whether advising on curriculum or hiring our students as interns, my belief is that the intersection and partnership with industry is where innovation lies.” [iii]
“…At MSU of Denver, an open-access school
downtown with enrollment around 18,000, meeting workforce needs has become a
priority. Companies including Ball Aerospace and Lockheed Martin
helped design course curriculums to mold properly-trained workers….
Higher education and workforce training in
many ways ‘are the same,’ [U.S.
Secretary of Labor Marty] Walsh said in an interview, touting strategic
workforce partnerships schools form with companies.”[iv]
“Adams 14 District: “This time,
with the academies model, the district is working on integrating projects that tie
to the career focus of each academy throughout the day in math, reading, and
other classes.”[v]
“Bipartisan legislation sponsored
by Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, to help students afford
the training they need to land jobs in high-paying, in-demand fields
cleared the Senate today. ‘There are thousands of job openings in Colorado,’
Bridges said, ‘but not enough trained workers to fill them.’”[vi]
“The state also put together a
committee to focus on how to improve Coloradans' access to jobs. One of
the recommendations … provides $85 million to create or expand ideas that bring together industry and
schools to create opportunity for students.”[vii]
“Pinnacol focuses on the
youth apprenticeship model, recruiting teens in high school — in
partnership with their school districts and postsecondary institutions — to
begin their careers while balancing their academic lives…. While Navarro
was an apprentice, she gave Community College of Denver a shot, but decided she
was learning more in her apprenticeship than she was in her college courses
— with the bonus that she was getting paid and receiving benefits.”[viii]
“…
the Colorado Workforce Development Council announced a $500,000 [Walmart] grant … [it
allows] the CWDC, Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE),
Credential Engine and additional partners to help Coloradans make informed
career decisions and access quality training and employment.”[ix]
“College
students need more ways to finish classes quickly and learn skills that
employers are seeking — and businesses need to do a better job talking
to students about career paths at an early age and partnering with colleges
and universities so that education leads to better-paying jobs….
Tom Brinegar, of PEAK Resources Inc. and a Colorado Succeeds board member, said
he ‘hopes the report will bring business leaders to the table to help
better prepare students for the job market.’”[x]
**
A second mirror: a sample of recent headlines and reports. What do they suggest about the purpose of education today? Career prep, worker training, jobs to meet company needs….
*COLORADO: "Better jobs inb less time: Colorado plan aims to connect higher ed, workforce," Chalkbeat Colorado, by Erica Meltzer, 3/29/22.
“Colorado embraces ‘apprenticeships,’ re-tooling college to meet company needs,” Students find career paths in on-the-job learning,” The Denver Post, 2/24/22.
“First lady Jill Biden visits Colorado, calls the state a model for workforce training,” Chalkbeat Colorado, 4/3/23.
“Businesses, colleges should speed students’ path to jobs,” Chalkbeat Colorado, by Jason Gonzales, 11/14/22.
*THE NATION: “David Banks wants to bolster career education in NYC schools. Here’s how,” Chalkbeat, 3/20/23.
“How Career Prep Programs Went From ‘Dumping Ground’ to Top Priority,” Education Week, 4/10/,23.
“Innovations in Career Education and Development,” The Chronicle of Higher Education, 10/9/22.
“At 59 NYC high schools, a chance for tech and finance apprenticeships up to $25 an hour,” Chalkbeat NY, 9/12/22.
“How are states connecting education and work?” Education Commission of the States, Denver, CO, 8/30/22.
“VA's Community Colleges Announce New Initiative to Address Worker Shortage,” Lynchburg News and Advance, 8/13/22.
“NH Is Expanding Paid Internships for High School Students,” New Hampshire Public Radio, 8/8/22.
“WA High Schoolers Can Now Earn Credit for After-School Work Experience,” MyNorthwest KIRO-FM Radio, 8/4/22.
“Preparing a Stronger Workforce and Other Takeaways From TX Higher Education, Dallas Morning News, 8/4/22.
“ME Community Colleges See Enrollment Shift to Worker Training Programs, Portland Press-Herald, 7/17/22.
“College or career? California invests $500 million in program that tackles both -
Effort seeks to guide students to careers from high school,” EdSource, 7/7/22.
**
“In new strategic plan, Colorado wants
residents to find the value in higher education,”
by Jason Gonzales, Chalkbeat Colorado,
Feb. 2, 2023.[xi]
Such a narrow view of education. Vapid. Mercantile. Students as future-workers we train.
Here is Another View: they are young people who need a strong foundation for a full and meaningful life.
**
Endnotes – All Colorado articles, and all from Feb. 2022 – April 2023.
[i] State-of-the-State
Address, Colorado Public Radio, Jan. 17, 2023, https://www.cpr.org/2023/01/17/jared-polis-2023-colorado-state-of-the-state-address-video-transcript/.
[ii] “Mr. Polis Goes
to Washington,” Colorado
Capitol Report, Chalkbeat Colorado, by Jason Gonzales, Feb. 12, 2023.
[iii] “New CSU leader details priorities,” The Denver Post, by
Elizabeth Hernandez, Feb. 20, 2023, https://www.denverpost.com/2023/02/20/amy-parsons-csu-president/.
[iv] “Colorado embraces ‘apprenticeships,’
re-tooling college to meet company needs,” The
Denver Post, Feb. 24, 2022, https://www.denverpost.com/2022/02/24/colorado-apprenticeships-workforce-training-college/.
[v] “Community schools, career academies, better planning: How Adams 14
leaders plan to improve learning,” Chalkbeat Colorado,
by Yesenia Robles, Dec. 22, 2022, https://co.chalkbeat.org/2022/12/7/23499212/adams-14-school-improvement-plan-adams-city-high-school-community-schools.
[vi] “Bridges’ Bipartisan Bill To Bolster
Career Pathways & Help Coloradans Land Jobs Clears Senate – SB23–205 Would
Create A Universal High School Scholarship Program To Help Students land Jobs
In High Demand Fields,”
April 14, 2023, https://www.senatedems.co/newsroom/bridges-bipartisan-bill-to-bolster-career-pathways-amp-help-coloradans-land-jobs-clears-senate.
[vii] “First lady Jill Biden visits Colorado, calls the state a model for
workforce training,” Chalkbeat Colorado, by Jason Gonzales, April 3, 2023, https://co.chalkbeat.org/2023/4/3/23668761/first-lady-jill-biden-colorado-visit-workforce-training-community-colleges-federal-budget.
[viii]
“Colorado
invests in paid training as a way into the workforce,” The Denver Post, by Elizabeth Hernandez, Feb.
2, 2023, https://www.denverpost.com/2023/02/02/colorado-apprenticeship-programs-state-apprenticeship-agency-careerwise-pinnacol-assurance/.
[ix] “Spotlight on Colorado Education and Workforce,” from Boundless Potential, email newsletter from Whiteboard Advisors, by Alison Griffin, Dec. 14, 2022.
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