What is 70? Out of any context it doesn’t tell you too much. I attended the 70th birthday parties of several friends this year – those were events to celebrate. At this year’s Idaho Legislative event our speaker Dr. Gregory Washington took us back in time and then forward to the future as it refers to STEM learning. Imagine that nearly 50% of the jobs that exist today in our economy are likely not to exist in the near future. Technology continues to accelerate the rate of change and is quickly headed to the point where steering wheels may no longer be an important part of a car. Is Idaho prepared to fill the new jobs that change will certainly create? Conservatively calculated, Idaho will have an undersupply of 48,000 trained workers in the next few years. Dr. Washington highlighted the need for students with 1, 2 or 4 year degrees in this evolving work environment. That same day Governor Otter made his State of Idaho speech, top priority to education with a focus and funding for pushing Idaho closer to our 60% goal. I hope each of you will let your legislative representative know how you feel about education in Idaho.
So what does 70 mean? Dr. Washington started his presentation with that question and then provided the sobering answer – the number is the percentage of military applicants who do not qualify based on test scores or a series of other issues including fitness and obesity. This number has grown over the past few years. It is truly time to accelerate significant change to our education system. My service on the Governor’s Higher Education task force gave me hope that this work is well begun in Idaho. Dr. Washington is responsible for all Engineering Professors in the California education system and he gave the Idaho Legislature an encouraging review of our progress. That said, Idaho is not close to having 60% of our 18-24 year olds hold a degree at some level. Bold and creative steps must be taken now and the dividends from reallocation and new investment will insure Idaho’s economic future for our children.
One of my favorite educators, Professor Dumbledore said “words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.” Let’s all stay on point, this is about the students and increasing opportunities from cradle to career.
Mike