Another Way to “Get There” Texas July 18, 2007

1. Another Way to “Get There” TexasJuly 18, 2007

2. The “good news” about the Texas economy. • State leaders are proud of the dynamic Texas economy. • The 8th largest economy in the world • Employment is at an all-time high • The best business climate in America • The number one exporting state in • the nation • In 2004, more job expansion and relocations than any • other state

3. The “bad news” about the Texas economy. • According to the American Community Survey published by the U. S. Census Bureau, in 2005: • The fifth highest percentage of people living in poverty (17.6%), • exceeded only by Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico and West Virginia • The lowest median family income of the six most populous states • ($49,769) and the smallest increase since 2002 ($1,938). • Ranks 37th among the states in median family income compared • to 32nd in 2002 • The 5th highest child poverty rate (24.9%) in the nation. Only 16 • of the 50 states had a rate exceeding 20%.

4. What are prospects for future success? The Chance for Success Index* evaluated a number of indicators that predict a child’s chances for future success. Virginia was the highest ranked state. Children less likely to live in poverty and more likely to have college- educated parents. Children are more likely to succeed in elementary school, finish high school and go to college. Once they have graduated, Virginia’s well-educated adult population and strong economy offer better opportunities. The educated young Virginians stay in the state, find good jobs and have children, and the cycle is repeated. * Editorial Projects in Education Research Center

5. Prospects for success in Texas are low. Texas ranked 48th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Only Arizona, Louisiana and New Mexico were lower. Children are more likely to grow up in poverty, speak a language other than English at home, and have poorly educated parents. That contributes to academic shortcomings. (The study pointed out that public education in Texas is improving rapidly and doing a good job of offsetting many factors outside the classroom, but it can’t solve all the problems of society.) After reaching adulthood, young Texans find an economy with fewer opportunities for high-paying jobs. And that cycle also repeats itself.

6. Good jobs in Texas are unfilled. The Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth has 450 current vacancies. The five chemical plants in Port Lavaca usually have about 250 vacant positions. The Seton Healthcare system in Austin has nearly 300 current nursing vacancies, and it will need 1,300 more in the next few years. Dell Computer is hiring 500 more engineers in its Austin location. More than 2,500 engineers and scientists will retire from the Johnson Space Center in the next few years. Auto dealers in the Tyler area need so many certified automotive service technicians they are advertising for them on a large billboard.

7. Fastest Growing Texas Occupations 2012

8. Highest Paying Majors 1 Year Post-Graduation:Bachelors & Associates Degrees Only

9. Governor Perry’s Focus on Economic Development Governor Rick Perry and other state leaders want to bring wealth into the state and create thousands of good jobs by accelerating the development of industries in areas of the economy that have the greatest growth potential. The Industry Cluster Initiative Advanced Technologies and Manufacturing Aerospace and Defense Biotechnology and Life Sciences Information and Computer Technology Petroleum Refining and Chemical Products Energy

10. After 18 years of reform, we still hear: Employers can’t get enough workers with the skills they need. Too many students are not experiencing educational success. Many “successful” students are not ready for college or the job market. High school students say they don’t feel challenged, they aren’t working hard, their classes are boring and they don’t see the relevance in what they are asked to learn. Einstein defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

11. There is another way to “get there” Texas. • Evidence shows that students who are in CTE when compared to • their peers in the regular high school program have: • Higher attendance rates, • Higher standardized test scores, • Higher high school graduation rates, • Higher college-going rates, • Higher persistence rates, and • Higher post-secondary program completion rates. • Furthermore, employers will hire students who complete programs • that result in an industry-defined license, certificate or degree. But, there will still be push back!

12. Important questions we must address What can be done to keep students in high school? How can more students be prepared for college and work? Shouldn’t we have high standards for all students? Shouldn’t we aspire to a college education for everyone? Wouldn’t “tracking” discriminate against disadvantaged students? Who are the winners and losers in a “one size fits all” system? “ We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” -- Albert Einstein

13. “The primary aim of education is not to enable students to do well in school, but to help them do well in the lives they lead outside school.” Bill Daggett, Model Schools Conference, June 30, 2007

14. A New Focus for TBEC Link education to workforce and economic development Strengthen emphasis and investment on CTE Develop articulated career pathways Provide financial aid for non-traditional students and target in-demand careers Help implement HB 3485 Develop a CTE policy agenda for the future

15. TBEC supports Achieve Texas Volunteers present the Texas Scholars message to students Business and education collaborate to develop career pathways programs Students (and adults) use the Achieve Texas career and college planning system

16. Texas Scholars message to students 1992: Take a rigorous academic course of study in high school and graduate with the Recommended Program New: Complete a career inventory to understand your personal interests and aptitudes Know about the current and emerging job market Choose a course study that will prepare you for post-secondary education and a viable career Take courses in high school that earn college credit (Texas Scholars Requirement)

17. An Education and Career Planning System

18. Business Stimulates Collaboration. Seamless Automotive CurriculumHigh School — Community College — University Program Leading to March 30, 2007 High School Diploma Lubbock Independent School District Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Service Technology / Automotive TechnologySouth Plains College And Bachelor of Science in Mechanical EngineeringTexas Tech University

19. Connecting Education with the Texas Economy Currently there are good jobs in Texas for those who have the right preparation, and there will be more as the ‘Boomers” retire. State economic development initiatives will require even more highly educated, skilled workers at all levels. If we don’t prepare them appropriately, young Texans will end up providing services to people who come from outside to take the good jobs. Working together, business people and educators must establish real career pathways through which students can prepare for work and further education. We must connect our people to good jobs through education.

20. The Future of Texas is “Up for Grabs” According to State Demographer Steve Murdock: The population of our state continues to grow and become more diverse. If historic education achievement patterns for population subgroups remain constant, the overall population will be less well educated in the future than they are today. This would weaken the state’s economic competitiveness, increase the costs of social services, and generally lead to reduced quality of life – circumstances we call BAD MURDOCK! On the other hand, if all segments of this growing population can be well educated, the people of Texas will be an asset for economic development, the cost of social services will be reduced, and the quality of life enhanced for all – a situation we call GOOD MURDOCK!