More Education Plays

A well-educated workforce provides a strong foundation for a flourishing economy. Though state and community leaders may know and agree with this, we continue to send students through an education system that may barely prepare them for each consecutive grade level and may not begin to prepare them for the business world. Federal, state, and local officials nationwide face a shared challenge: With the American education system's integrity already in jeopardy, how do we ensure success for our students in and out of the classroom?

In 2005, Arizona policymakers acknowledged a particularly shaky structure in dire need of alignment. According to the Arizona Department of Education, 10 percent of high school seniors dropped out during the 2004-2005 school year. Because of the system's flawed condition, those who stayed in school often found themselves unprepared for the transition into post-secondary education or the workforce. In some instances, it was even possible for a student to complete high school, earn a diploma, and yet not meet the course requirements for college admission. Students should not be victims of this inexcusable lack of coordination. The journey from preschool through high school, on to post-secondary education, and then into working life should be a smooth series of stepping stones, each leading logically and seamlessly into the next.

The disjointed structure of the education system led Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano to action. In July 2005, through Executive Order No. 2005-19, Napolitano established a P-20 Council to bring business leaders, policymakers, and educators together with the collective goal of ensuring that the state's schools are producing the talent needed to grow Arizona's economy. The council is charged with increasing the overall quality of education in the state, as evidenced by the number of students who graduate from high school, succeed in college, and join the workforce well-prepared.

"We must teach [children] in a way that is aligned with business and the economy, so that when they graduate, they are truly ready to enter the workforce and are able to earn a decent living." -- Gov. Janet Napolitano, Arizona

The P-20 Council views education as an integrated system, much like a K-12 or P-16 program. The P-16 system integrates all levels from preschool through a four-year college degree, whereas the P-20 concept extends to include job skills and training. Not only should major transitions be smooth, such as the move from high school to college, but each step to a higher learning level should as well.

The Council's membership reflects the diversity of stakeholders in Arizona's education system. The 34-member council includes a local school board member, the presidents of Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, a junior high school principal, and a vice president of General Dynamics C4 Systems. State senators and representatives serve as ex-officio members.

The incremental nature of learning means that performance at any given stage is dependent on the success or failure of earlier stages. Continuum, the quarterly newsletter of the P-20 Council, emphasizes the importance of competency, stating: "Competencies at each level are critical to success at the next level." The expectations at each level are outlined as follows: