New approaches to education reform - contracting out public school management and other steps

Nation's Business, March, 1994 by Joan C. Szabo

Brown, of the Education Commission of the States, says educational standards must be raised, funding must be linked to quality improvements, and bureaucracy must be scaled down to help bring about meaningful and systemic change.

According to Education Secretary Riley, business owners must emphasize to the schools and the community that "standards matter."

FOR MORE INFORMATION

FURTHER INFORMATION ON EDUCATION AND training issues can be obtained through two new publications from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Center for Workforce Preparation. They are designed to provide useful information on effective approaches to achieving the nation's education goals:

* New Century Workers: Effective School-to-Work Transition Programs. This publication is designed to guide community leaders through the process of establishing effective school-to-work transition programs. It highlights successful chamber, corporate, and nonprofit school-to-work initiatives that provide essential skills to tomorrow's workers. The price is $18.

* Year Four: Chamber of Commerce Programs to Achieve the National Education Goals. The best examples of businesses pulling together to achieve educational excellence and effective reform are highlighted. The price is $18.

Mail a check or money order to Publications Fulfillment, Center for Workforce Preparation, 1615 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20062-2000.

What Businesses Can Do

There are many steps that business owners can take to encourage effective school reform. Here are some of the key ones:

* Clarify to policy-makers, parents, and the public the skills and standards your company expects of employees. "Business must begin to clearly articulate its needs and get that information to the schools," says Connie Spellman, vice president for education for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.

* Provide the schools with helpful resources, such as management and training advice. Contribute materials, equipment, or meeting space to schools.

* Make equipment and technology available for the training of teachers and students.

* Encourage employees to run for school-board positions and be part of the governance of schools. "We need to continue to strengthen school boards with people who have broad interests and can represent the needs of a business community," says Spellman.