education

K-12 EDUCATION: CREATING TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE

Wisconsin Small Businesses United promotes the advancement of opportunity, prosperity, and growth. A strong education system enables small businesses to achieve these objectives and ensures that employers have the graduates they need to stay competitive. Developing a stable and competent workforce begins at the local level in our school system, whether it be public or private.

The future of Wisconsin’s economic growth relies heavily upon the value of K-12 education and the role it plays in creating healthy communities. Quality education allows for the development and growth of a thriving middle class and ensures long-term economic viability. In order for Wisconsin to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive world, educational leaders and administrators must advance student achievement and promote workforce readiness.

Proper oversight is needed to attract, train, and retain high-quality teachers and promote the pursuit of academic success and social well-being of all students. Educational leaders and administrators must be held accountable for managing the progress and performance of students, teachers, schools and school systems in order to ensure student achievement and quality governance.

In order to expect the best results, school districts and boards must also be held accountable for academic and fiscal performance. It is important for all residents of Wisconsin to know who serves on their local school board and where those individuals stand on important education policy issues.

Wisconsin cannot produce the skilled workforce of tomorrow unless schools successfully educate the students of today. It is essential for educational curricula to meet rigorous academic standards, in addition to preparing students for life beyond the classroom by introducing them to critical soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, time management, and financial responsibility. To achieve a more seamless transition from high school to higher education and the workplace it is important for Wisconsin’s secondary and post-secondary institutions to effectively prepare current and future workers for careers in a variety of technical and professional disciplines.

There are many factors at play in determining education completion and achievement. Addressing these factors is no easy task, although taking a closer look at management and leadership at the top is a promising starting point.