A Business Case for Education Reform

DESERTED DESKS A Business Case for Education Reform Better preparing students to meet the demands of a 21st century economy requires business leaders to become more engaged in outcomes-focused education reform. Filling desks in schools means fewer desks in the workplace will continue to be empty. OF U.S. EMPLOYERS indicate that they have difficulties filling job vacancies due to a lack of available talent. 49% 3.8 MILLION JOBS ARE VACANT despite 11.7 $4 BILLION in annual education investments by U.S. companies. MILLION unemployed Americans. 8.65 million jobs will require STEM* 2/3 of all jobs will require training, an increase of 17% since 2008. some postsecondary education. 2010 2015 2018 2020 By 2020, approximately 13 million students will drop out of high school .. ... costing the nation more than $3 trillion. "Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics UNLESS BUSINESSES TAKE ACTION ... the economy will continue to stagnate. communities will the U.S. will continue to struggle to prosper. become less competitive. WHAT BUSINESSES CAN DO ... INVEST PARTNER STRATEGIZE Make targeted investments in public K-12 education that Identify specific opportunities, such as the Common Core Collaborate with educators, adminis- trators, and public are accountable and officials to increase State Standards, that will bring about the greatest impact. produce results. the supply of skilled and educated workers. Sources: AACU, American Society for Training and Development, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, Institute for a Competitive Workforce, National Governors Association NCE Created by U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION COLUMN FIVE