U.S. Chamber of Commerce - May 22 - U.S. Chamber Continues Push for Education Reform on the National & Local Level

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today continued its push to promote education reform on the state and local levels during a forum in San Antonio featuring AT&T Assistant Vice President for External Affairs Jerry Fuentes and the Chamber's Vice President and Executive Director Lydia Logan. The event entitled "Driving the Debate: Education and San Antonio's Workforce" discussed the education challenges facing the nation and San Antonio, as well as such issues as global competitiveness, employer perspectives, and Latino education equity.

"Sixty-one percent of employers do not believe that a high school diploma means a student has at least learned the basics," said Logan. "Many students graduating from high school are not prepared to succeed in post-secondary education and the workforce. We need more discussions like the one today in San Antonio to galvanize communities around solutions that benefit students, employers and communities."

Today's event put on by the Chamber's Institute for a Competitive Workforce (ICW) and local San Antonio chambers of commerce, brought together local representatives from the education and business fields to discuss ways to strengthen America's education system and to look for solutions in order for students to successfully compete in the 21st century. The event also included AT&T's Fuentes discussing his company's recently announced $100 million program addressing the national high school dropout crisis. Also, Edison Schools, the leading education management company in the country, in collaboration with the Institute for Latino Studies at the University of Notre Dame, announced the release of a research study on education issues facing Hispanics in the United States. Other speakers included managing director of Chartwell Education Group, Inc., and former U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary Susan Sclafani.

"Businesses have a critical interest in improving education in their communities and need to be part of the solution," said Lydia Logan. "Because education reform is primarily accomplished on the state and local level, it is important that we work together to improve the quality of education and student achievement. The stakes are high for business and our economy if schools fail."

The Institute for a Competitive Workforce (ICW) promotes high educational standards and effective workforce training systems so that they are aligned with each other and with today's rigorous business demands. The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.