Vol. 41, No.6
January 25, 2007
CONTACT: JIM MORRIS |
Missouri Business and Education Leaders Consider
Student Preparation Needs for Successful Careers
Business and industry advisors from throughout Missouri are meeting in Jefferson City today to help school officials define educational plans that will prepare students for the careers of tomorrow.
More than 80 business and industry representatives will review the academic and technical skills needed by students in the workplace after considering feedback from a recent statewide survey of business leaders.
The Industry Advisory Council meeting is being held today (9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. The meeting was convened by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Division of Career Education.
“I believe this is the first time the Division of Career Education has had such a comprehensive gathering of business and education leaders. We are here today because education, workforce development and economic development are becoming more closely inter-related every day,” said Nancy J. Headrick, DESE assistant commissioner.
DESE’s Division of Career Education is convening advisory councils of industry personnel and educators to fulfill the newly authorized federal legislation, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006. The act authorizes more than $1.2 billion in federal aid to the states through 2012, representing one of the largest federal investments in high schools and postsecondary education.
Increased coordination between education and industry is one of the main themes in the 2006 Perkins Act. The law places more emphasis on preparing students for high-skill, high-wage and high-demand occupations, as well as entrepreneurship, small business development and the involvement of workforce investment boards.
Industry advisors have been organized within 16 nationally identified “career cluster” groups to specify the knowledge and skills that students need to acquire in order to succeed within each occupational field. Recommendations from these groups will be used to develop model plans of study in different fields.
More information about career clusters available on the DESE Web site.
Each state must develop model programs of study in consultation with local school officials. Schools that receive funds under the Perkins Act will be required to offer the courses of at least one program of study.
“Career clusters are an effective educational framework to provide all students greater opportunities to explore and prepare for rewarding careers. The industry councils are helping assure that we define the knowledge and skills that students need in order to be successful in their chosen career paths,” Headrick said.