Practical education 101

Friday, Sept. 4, 2009 | 3 a.m.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said last week that the country needs to do a better job educating students to compete in a global economy.

In a meeting with the editorial board of the Las Vegas Sun, a sister publication of In Business Las Vegas, Duncan said the United States trails other industrial nations in indicators of academic achievement. As a result, American students are at a disadvantage.

President Barack Obama wants to change that. He has called for a much-needed overhaul of the nation’s public school system and has set aside billions of dollars of stimulus money to meet that goal.

The Obama administration’s ambitious plan has a chance to make the necessary changes, but its success will depend on whether it gains public support. Businesses should pay close attention to the plan. One of Duncan’s points was strengthening career and technical education. He said schools should be preparing students who are “college ready, career ready.” He is correct.

Duncan pointed to community colleges, which he called a “hugely undervalued resource.” He believes they could play an important role in preparing workers for health care, technical and “green” jobs.

“The best community college systems are the ones that have good collaboration with business and industry, and are updating the curriculum to make sure students are being prepared for the jobs that are out there,” Duncan said.

Businesses and industries should be fully engaged with the schools, especially in Nevada where employers have struggled for years to find qualified workers.

There have been good results where schools and business groups have worked together. UNLV’s hotel and law schools, as well as any number of apprenticeship and career training programs, are good examples.

The bottom line is that if business wants a better-trained workforce, it needs to be involved. The Obama administration has great plans for education and it should be supported.