1. 1 Pathways to Prosperity: Meeting the Challenge of Preparing Young Americans for the 21 st Century William C. Symonds North Carolina Summer Conference Greensboro, North Carolina July 24, 2013

2. 2 KEY ISSUES TO CONSIDER TODAY THE PATHWAYS CHALLENGE IMPACTS EVERY FAMILY IN AMERICA WE NEED TO FIND WAYS TO PREPARE MORE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS * The key role of Career Guidance/Career Education WHY WE NEED A NATIONAL MOVEMENT

3. 3 The Pathways Project: A Brief Review LAUNCHED: FALL 2008 *Two Key Questions *The Research Phase THE REPORT * Release: February, 2011 RESPONSE: *40 States: Every Region of the Country *Statewide conferences: NE; NH; HI; IL; RI

4. 4 “Creating Pathways to Prosperity” MARCH 18-19 at Harvard WHO ATTENDED: *More than 400 people; more than 100 speakers *From 42 states and 4 foreign countries STAKEHOLDERS REPRESENTED: FFA Business Educators Government Young People

5. 5 AGENDA THE PATHWAYS REPORT HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CONFERENCE: *Providing effective Career Guidance *Creating World-class CTE *The Critical Role of Business MOVING FROM THEORY TO ACTION: THE NEW YORK EXAMPLE IMPLICATIONS FOR N.C. AND AG EDUCATION NEXT STEPS FOR THE MOVEMENT

6. 6 What is the Pathways Challenge? The United States is increasingly failing to prepare young people to lead successful live as adults: The Key Role of Education in the American Century We have lost our global leadership in educational attainment and achievement Teen and young adults (20-24) are increasingly unable to find work Mounting social problems: Youth poverty; decline of the family; huge economic challenges THE DANGER: A WASTED GENERATION

7. 7 A More Demanding Labor Market In 1973, a high school diploma was the passport to the American Dream. 72% of the workforce of 91 million had no more than a high school degree Today, PSE is the new Passport. Nearly 60% have at least some college. Tomorrow, PSE will become even more important. 63% of all jobs will require at least some education beyond high school. Source: Center on Education and the Workforce, Georgetown University

8. 8 College for All does not mean everyone needs a B.A. Even in this decade most jobs do not require a B.A. Source: March CPS data, various years; Center on Education and the Workforce forecast of educational demand to 2018.

9. 9 Good Jobs that DON’T require a B.A. What is a “Middle-Skill” job? **Education beyond HS, but less than BA **Pay Middle-Class Wages: $35,000 to $95,000 There are 29 Million Middle Jobs **More than 11 million pay $50,000-plus EXAMPLES: **Agribusiness;Food Production; Culinary **Healthcare: Radiation Therapists; Dental Hygienist; EMTs **IT: Including IBM

10. 10 What are the Trends in North Carolina? By 2018, NC is expected to have some 5 million jobs: 59% OF THESE JOBS WILL REQUIRE PSE BUT ONLY 28% WILL REQUIRE A 4-YEAR DEGREE OR HIGHER 31% WILL REQUIRE AN AA DEGREE OR SOME COLLEGE SO 2-YEAR DEGREES AND CREDENTIALS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN BA’S

11. 11 Why we face a Skills Gap We have convinced many students/parents there is only “one road to heaven” But this “pathway” is out of step with labor market demand Examples: **Manufacturing **Agribusiness ** Commercial and Industrial Construction **Culinary/Hospitality

12. 12 Implications for Agriculture Agriculture is one of the largest industries in the U.S.: Total food sales estimated at $1.5 trillion The U.S. is a global leader: We are number one in ag exports; and export THREE times as much as China Opportunities are enormous: *World Hunger: USDA estimates we must boost production 70% by 2050 to feed 9 billion people *Growing focus/attention on health/nutrition means great need for innovation/entrepreneurship

13. 13 What is the right goal for the U.S.? “College for All” needs to be broadened to mean a meaningful “post-high school credential” for all Pathways should reflect the skills needed by industry A meaningful credential can be earned in many ways: Community college/Technical college Apprenticeships The military/community service Four year college

14. 14 Despite two decades of reform, H.S. graduation rates have not changed much since the 1980s Note: Does not include GED recipients. Unless indicated, does not include recent immigrants. Rates are for age group of 20-24 or 25-29 dependant on their age at the time of census Source: Heckman and LaFountaine (2007), U.S. Census data, and other sources Stagnant High School Graduation Rates

15. 15 U.S. “on time” college completion rates are alarmingly low Note: Two-year schools have a three year graduation window. Four-year schools have a six-year window Source: Higher Ed info-NCES/IPEDS Graduation Survey.

16. 16 The current U.S. reality: only 40% of 27-year olds have earned an A.A. degree or higher Note: Represents data collected in surveys between 2006-2008; GED is approximation based on data from GED Testing Program. Source: Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement.

17. 17 Cracks in the Four-Year-College Facade Four Year Colleges still serve as the gateway to many rewarding careers BUT: Far too many students never earn a degree Student debt is a growing problem Many graduates cannot find good jobs These trends are going to produce major changes: Growing focus on effectiveness and ROI Shrinkage/failure of institutions that don’t adapt Increasing role for online/hybrid instruction

18. 18 Are our youth Career Ready? U.S. Employers increasingly complain that young adults lack “21st Century Skills”: “Are They Ready To Work?” Report Partnership for 21 st Century Skills Tony Wagner’s “Seven Survival Skills”

19. 19 Trends in the Employment / Population Ratios of Teens, Selected Years, 2000 – 2011 (in %)

20. 20 Why Are We Failing To Prepare So Many Youth? Our focus has been too narrow We need a broader, more holistic system of Pathways to Prosperity

21. 21 Lessons from Abroad

22. 22 The U.S. has fallen from 1 st place to 13 th in high school graduation Note: Approximated by percentage of persons with upper secondary or equivalent qualifications in the age groups 55-64, 45-54, 35-44, and 25-34 years. Source: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

23. 23 Why Are Other Countries Surpassing the U.S.? The key role of Vocational Education The OECD’s “Learning for Jobs Report: Reviewed VET (Vocational Education Training in 17 Countries

24. 24 In many European countries over half of upper secondary students are in vocational educational and training Source: OECD (2008), Education at a Glance 2008, OECD indicators, Table C1.1, OECD, Paris.

25. 25 The Case for Vocational Education Training Pedagogical Best way for many young people to learn Apprenticeships support developmental needs of young people Higher attainment Many countries with best VET systems surpass the U.S. Finding work Facilitates transition to labor market

26. 26 The Bottom Line Foreign systems are far from perfect, and cannot be imported directly to the U.S. BUT: The U.S. is increasingly an outlier on vocational education We can use the principles and practices of the best VET systems to develop an improved American approach

27. 27 THE ROAD TO A PATHWAYS SYSTEM 1.Provide high-quality career guidance 2. Create multiple pathways that provide all young people with high-quality options 3. Engage Employers in a greatly-expanded ways 4. Develop a National Culture that Promotes Pathways

28. 28 THE CRISIS IN CAREER GUIDANCE 1.The Current System “is broken and dysfunctional”: *Counselors have a crushing workload plus too little time to do career counseling *Counseling often only piecemeal 2. The Resulting Costs are Enormous: *Half of students don’t get guidance they need *Major cause of Pathways Challenge *The tragedy of hopelessness

29. 29 A VISION FOR EFFECTIVE GUIDANCE 1.MAKE CAREER GUIDANCE A CENTRAL GOAL/MISSION OF EDUCATION: *Begin in elementary school *Help each student develop a pathways plan 2. CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF CHANGE: (1) Empower Counselors (2) Involve the Entire School Community (3) Provide comprehensive career information (4) Engage business (5) Partner with Parents

30. 30 CREATING WORLD-CLASS CTE MAJOR CHALLENGES: 1.Recruiting and Certifying high-quality teachers 2.Creating World-class curricula

31. 31 PREPARING CTE TEACHERS 1.Today’s Crisis: *No consistent/coherent system 2. Suggestions for Reform: *Improve recruitment and salaries *Develop new models of teacher preparation/certification *Make this a national priority

32. 32 CREATING WORLD-CLASS CURRICULA THE OPPORTUNITIES: Done right, CTE can be an ideal vehicle to help make students College and Career Ready World-class CTE is the most promising solution to the Skills Shortage We need to overcome the stereotype that CTE is for “dummies”

33. 600 800 1000 1400 1600 1200 Text Lexile Measure (L) High School Literature College Literature High School Textbooks College Textbooks Military Personal Use Entry-Level Occupations SAT 1, ACT, AP* * Source of National Test Data: MetaMetrics Reading Study Summary Interquartile Ranges Shown (25% - 75%)

34. 34 HOW DO WE GET THERE? INVEST in creating Quality Curricula: *AP Exam costs over $1 million Partner with industry to create national programs of study: Expand Professional Development

35. 35 Expanded Role for Employers Goal: Businesses need to become full partners in the Pathways system. Key roles for business/employers: Career guidance Designing/developing Programs of Study Providing Opportunities for Work-based learning and Work

36. 36 Opportunities for Companies Start the conversation in your local community Get your employees engaged in mentoring/guidance Offer students work-based learning: job shadowing, internships, apprenticeships, summer jobs Recruit other companies/individuals Join the national movement

37. 37 Creating the Right Culture How the Bias Against Multiple Pathways Limits Us Strategies for Changing the Culture: *Communications *Identifying Champions Why the Time is Right Building a National Movement

38. 38 Promoting the Dignity of Work We have Demeaned and Disparaged Many Jobs Vital to our Economy: *Auto Technology *Manufacturing *Construction YET these jobs are vital to our economy and provide a realistic pathway to middle class We need a national campaign to change this culture

39. 39 The Work in New York Problems with the Existing Regent’s Exams: *Half of graduates are not College Ready *Does not promote Career Readiness Our Work: *Identify suitable assessments/certifications *Promote Multiple Pathways *The Impact this could have

40. 40 CREATING A NATIONAL MOVEMENT GOALS: COMMUNICATION: Work to change the culture surrounding education/workforce development ENGAGE BUSINESS: Critical to any real progress CLEARINGHOUSE: Collect and share best practices R&D: Bring together the top leaders to Improve and Promote Multiple Pathways/CTE ADVOCACY: Work to change Policy and Practice

41. 41 WHAT CAN YOU DO? Help Convene a Local/Regional Pathways Conference: *Invite educators, business, government *Focus on the Pathways challenge and promising solutions *Look at demand for employment/jobs Actively promote opportunities in the agriculture industry Work to make career guidance/CTE a more central part of your education system

42. 42 QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION