As states prepare for legislative sessions in 2024, many governors and legislators have economic development goals at the top of their priority lists, which means education should also be considered.
Education systems can be the engine of a robust economy, and with the right investments and policy conditions, that engine's horsepower can be dramatically increased. State leaders looking to strengthen their workforce and develop a strong talent pool to attract employers should consider education as a core focus area of policy and investment this year.
But positioning our education system (both K-12 and post-secondary) as a powerhouse of talent requires intentional efforts. If we don't make the necessary changes to our education system, we risk creating more jobs without building a talent pipeline.
Recent legislative sessions have highlighted several innovative national policy trends to build stronger connections between education and the workforce, making this year worth noting.
Rethinking high school for the 21st century economy.
Gone are the days when high school graduates could immediately land a high-paying career. While a four-year bachelor's degree is not the only path for young people to succeed and securely support their families, the reality is that an ever-increasing share of the job market requires post-secondary education and training. This means that high schools need to introduce students to potential careers and enable them to continue their education and training so they can gain the skills, experience and qualifications they need to prosper economically. Masu.
Recognizing this need, several states have recently enacted policies that require them to completely rethink high schools and rethink how they prepare students for the next step toward career success. It was approved.
Indiana lawmakers entered the 2023 legislative session determined to reform high schools to provide graduates with a clear and seamless transition to high-value employment, higher education and training, or military service leading to military service. Last year, we passed sweeping legislation, including House Bill 1002, aimed at redesigning the high school experience around careers. The new law focuses on expanding workplace learning opportunities through internships, youth and registered apprenticeships, and provides students with a variety of educational opportunities. One way we help more students earn a credential in labor market currency before they graduate from high school is by spending up to $5,000 on out-of-school job training through the Career Scholarship Account.
Maryland similarly established a new vision to help students graduate from high school with multiple paths to high-paying careers. In 2021, the Maryland General Assembly passed the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. Among other priorities, the blueprint sets an ambitious goal for 45% of Maryland high school graduates to complete an apprenticeship or earn an industry-recognized credential by 2030. Ta. Implementation, state and local education and workforce leaders are working with elected officials to redefine core aspects of the high school experience, including apprenticeships and valued credentials for youth. To support implementation, the state has committed to significantly increasing education funding each year for 10 years, an issue state policymakers will address this legislative session.
States are increasingly shifting their priorities to putting students on the path to career success long before they enroll in college, and states are taking legislative action to help reimagine high school for a newly evolving economy. It is expected that this number will increase.
Connect investments in higher education with economic development priorities.
As state leaders reimagine high schools, they are also focusing on the postsecondary system and developing new strategies to forge stronger connections between what the economy demands and what higher education provides. It is expanding. While momentum in this direction has been ongoing for some time, the groundbreaking federal investments in infrastructure, technology, and clean energy that began in recent years will continue to invest in states and local communities through 2026, and will continue to grow in these areas. A dramatic increase in the number of workers is often required. Jobs that higher education and workforce training institutions are not yet ready to prepare young people for.
This means making strategic investments in higher education to attract employers with the promise of a well-prepared workforce. New York state, for example, has been focused on preparing to become a major chip production hub after semiconductor giant Micron announced plans to invest $100 billion in the state in 2022. This includes significant state investment in the State University of New York (SUNY) system and local community colleges to develop programs and prepare students for the thousands of jobs that Micron's factory will bring to the region. We will construct the necessary facilities for this purpose.
Other states are focused on filling high-demand jobs by hiring learners over the age of 25. The ReEngage Alabama Grant Program, created by Senate Bill 175 of 2023, is creating new opportunities for adult learners in the state to receive postsecondary education. Individuals 25 years of age or older who have earned some college credits must enroll per semester to earn their first associate's or bachelor's degree in a state-approved program that prepares them for a high-demand occupation. You can receive up to $3,000. By removing some of the financial burden, Alabama leaders are encouraging key learners to re-enroll in higher education and earn the credentials demanded by employers in the state.
Focus on value.
A growing number of state leaders are taking it upon themselves to ensure that the degrees and certifications people earn are rewarded in the job market and, conversely, to help employers find the right people to fill key roles. is working on the role of role.
For some states, this means focusing legislation on ensuring higher education provides a return on investment for both students and communities. In 2022, the state of Colorado asked the state Department of Higher Education to develop student success metrics that would measure student progress through postsecondary education and the impact of postsecondary pathways on students' career opportunities and success. passed a bill directing them to do so. Last year, Ohio also required the state's public universities to provide admitted students with a detailed breakdown of costs as well as post-graduation salaries tailored to their applicants and based on actual graduate performance. A new law was passed requiring information on forecasts to be disclosed as well. Although the question of how best to measure and communicate “value” remains difficult, state legislatures are increasingly recognizing the importance of addressing these issues and providing greater transparency for students and their families. It is being done.
Other states are also joining the “value” debate by developing ways to measure and evaluate skills beyond traditional qualifications. A growing number of states believe that eliminating bachelor's degree requirements for state employment will increase labor force participation rates by focusing on “skills-based employment.” This trend has taken hold in at least 16 states, both blue and red, through a combination of governors and legislatures, and the issue is likely to be considered by a growing number of state legislatures this year. The state government is itself a major employer. By leading their own policies, states could provide evidence to other employers and higher education institutions about how to think differently about connecting talent and opportunity. Of course, moving away from degree requirements in recruitment presents challenges, such as determining what other types of measures or evidence of preparation can replace them, and how to ensure equal access to opportunities. . However, the demand for change in this area is great.
2024 is an election year, and there will be a heightened sense of unpredictability in statehouses. However, I expect workforce readiness to continue to be a hot topic, as more states pursue innovative strategies like this to increase the relevance and return on investment of their education systems. It should mean that.
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