1. Www.papartnerships.org Preparing PA’s Youth to be Ready By 21™ Bill Bartle, PA Partnerships for Children NEPTPC Workforce Development Conference October 17, 2006

2. Why is Youth Development important? n One in 7 Pennsylvanians (1,688,643) is a young person (age 12-21) – 1 in 3 lives in poverty – More than 12,000 are in foster care – More than 40,000 are in juvenile justice – More than 26,000 teens are mothers – 1 in 50 has limited English proficiency – 14% have a disability

3. Why is Youth Development important? n 2 out of 5 urban 9 th graders fail to graduate from high school in the same district four years later – 1 in 6 rural 9 th graders – 1 in 8 suburban n High school graduates earn three times more than those who did not graduate n College graduates earn six times more n Dropouts have higher rates of teen pregnancy, substance abuse and crime n 80% of those incarcerated are dropouts

4. Need Educated and Proficient Workers n In order to compete in a 21 st century global economy, Pennsylvania needs a highly-educated and proficient workforce. – Worker shortage – Dramatic shift from unskilled to skilled jobs – High school diploma not enough anymore

5. Students need sound academic background n To prepare students to participate in this workforce, Pennsylvania must take the steps necessary to assure that all youth have a sound academic background and highly-developed soft skills. – Important issue for PA voters

6. Preparation for college or work is the same n Young people who are preparing for college or work require a similar foundation. – Same skills – Solid academic skills – especially math and language arts skills – Appropriate soft skills

7. “Gold Collar” Workers n Many of the fastest growing high-skill/high wage occupations are being filled with what are called “gold collar” workers. – Resourceful problem solvers – Job appropriate training – Need additional education after high school, but not necessarily a 4-year bachelor’s degree – Each PhD scientist requires 8 technicians

8. Current “Readiness Rate” of High School Students n Of public high school students who entered 9 th grade in the 2001-02 school year, 22% failed to graduate four years later. n 50% of 11 th graders not proficient in math n Nearly 35% are not proficient in reading n Students that do poorly on PSSA may not be college- ready n Manhattan Institute estimates 41% of PA’s high school graduates are “college ready” n High remediation rates for both 2 and 4 year colleges

9. What Skills are Needed? Basic Knowledge/Skills (Academics) n English language (spoken) n Reading comprehension (in English) n Writing (grammar, spelling, etc.) n Mathematics n Science n Government/Economics n Humanities/Arts n Foreign Languages n History/Geography

10. What Skills are Needed? Applied Skills (Soft Skills) n Critical Thinking/Problem Solving n Oral Communications n Written Communications n Teamwork/Collaboration n Diversity n Information Technology Application n Leadership n Creativity/Innovation n Lifelong Learning/Self Direction n Professionalism/Work Ethic n Ethics/Social Responsibility

11. Workforce Readiness Report Card High School Graduates n Over 40% of employer respondents rate high school graduates as “Deficient” in their overall preparation for the entry-level jobs they typically fill; Almost the same percentage rated them “Adequate” n Employers rated students “Deficient” in the basic knowledge and skills of Writing, Mathematics and Reading Comprehension n “Deficient” in Professionalism/Work Ethic n “Adequate” in Information Technology Application, Diversity, and Teamwork/Collaboration

12. Workforce Readiness Report Card Two and Four-Year College Grads n Majority of respondents (70% for 2-yr and 65% for 4-yr) rated college graduates as “Adequate” for the entry- level jobs they typically fill n Very few rated them as “Deficient” n Deficiencies in Writing and Leadership

13. What can we do?

14. What is Ready By 21™? Ready By 21™ is committed to youth-centered public policies and programs designed to ensure that all Pennsylvanians aged 12-21 have equitable access to high quality education and support services that meet their needs and builds on their aspirations; that prepares them to earn a family- sustaining wage, be active citizens, lifelong learners, and enjoy healthy physical, social and emotional health.

15. What are the Ready By 21™ Principles? n Evidence based programs and policies that are youth centered and respond to their needs and aspirations n Equitable access to high quality education that prepares them for work and life n Career guidance based on the knowledge base of available 21 st Century careers in PA that lead to family-sustaining wage n After-school programs that enhance academic, recreation and social needs

16. What are the Ready By 21™ Principles? n Opportunities to explore, build and seed a career n Comprehensive health and human services n Supports and encouragement from caring adults n Decision-making role in the design of policies and programs n Opportunity to contribute and serve within their communities n Special efforts for those who face additional barriers to success

17. Alignment with other initiatives n PDE's Project 720 high school reform initiative – Dual enrollment n Governor’s Commission on College and Career Readiness – 12 th -Grade Learning Competencies

18. What has been accomplished so far? n Research and analysis n Mobilization Plan – Bring stakeholders together – Ready By 21™ Coalition – Discussions with public and private organizations, policymakers n Structured the work into four policy areas -- – Secondary academic success – Positive use of out-of-school time – Career preparation and workforce development – Comprehensive services with linkages to appropriate health and human services

19. What has been accomplished so far? n Form Workgroups to address each policy area n Issue Briefs published and distributed – The State of Youth Employment – Risk and Protective Factors – Graduation Gap – Preparing Youth for Success in a 21st Century Economy n Earned media – News stories, op-eds and editorial boards

20. Workgroup Recommendations for Public Policy Agenda

21. High School Reform n Fully fund PDE Project 720 so that every high school in PA can participate in the program n Increase funding for dual enrollment to allow more students to participate n Develop and implement a statewide informational campaign on pathways to careers of the 21 st century

22. Guidance n Enhance academic and career guidance at the middle, high and career and technical schools – Provide individualized academic and career guidance for all students – More opportunities for students to learn about current and emerging careers – Provide matching grants for employers to participate in work-based-learning opportunities for high school students – Workforce Development Coordinators, aligned with local WIB, to assist guidance counselors with local job market information – Offer meaningful professional development designed specifically for guidance counselors – Develop formalized strategies to engage parents, teachers, administrators and staff, employers and other adults in student guidance – Align resources to areas of greatest need

23. Enhance Career and Technical Education n Increase rigor for CTE students n Provide tutoring and additional academic supports to students who need them n Labor market demand and industry- recognized standards and credentials n Clear ties between CTE and postsecondary education to allow students to earn credits and credentials

24. Model Core Curricula n Develop model core curricula in language arts, math, science, and social studies/civics to provide districts a tool to assure that all graduates are ready for postsecondary education, work and life – Establish a committee to work on embedding the Career Ed. And Work standards and life skills examples into the model curricula – Provide extensive professional development to educators on the model curricula – Align future teacher training programs around the curricula

25. Implement State-Level Graduation Requirements n Develop a series of state-standardized interim benchmark assessments in math, language arts, science and social studies that are aligned with the academic standards as a requirement for every student to graduate – Phased in over multiple years (at least 5) – Offered multiple times to maximize student success – Accommodations made for students with special needs – These “end of course” assessments can also be used to identify when students are prepared to move to the next level of work – A tool to provide credit recovery and streamlined completion for students who have left school and then return to complete get their diploma

26. Early Detection System in Sixth Grade n Develop an early detection system in 6 th grade for student who exhibit the four risk factors for dropping out of school: – Attendance – Behavior – Failing math – Failing English n Once students are identified, implement an individualized strategy to ensure student success

27. Out-of-School Youth n Enhance services and supports for students who are no longer (or marginally) attending school – Develop alternative pathways to a high school diploma that: n Provide supports for students to manage life demands n Meet the same standards as traditional high schools n Provide smaller learning environments n Provide guidance to connect youth to opportunities to pursue vocational interests as well as academic and career goals n Provide flexibility to allow students to transfer, leave, and re-enroll as needed – Develop a formalized funding strategy for out-of-school youth that is community and research based

28. What are our next steps? n Are currently in the process of formally developing the public policy agenda n Strategic communications plan to create buzz around the Ready By 21™ agenda n Develop and implement policymaker education and champion plan to recruit administrative and legislative leaders to support, advance and implement the Ready By 21™ agenda (early fall)

29. Contact information -- Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children www.papartnerships.org Bill Bartle Phone – (717) 236-5680, ext. 209 Email – bbartle@papartnerships.orgbbartle@papartnerships.org