The 2013 State Legislature will soon begin its “Short Session” in Richmond. Governor McDonnel has already expressed a desire to see k12 education reform become one of the primary focus areas of this session. The idea of education reform suggests that the status quo needs a change. There are three traditional views of education commonly found among teachers, parents, and within local communities that should be challenged. Changing these will views will take a great deal of effort and support from both the public and private sector.

• Educators traditionally view advanced academic classes (think AP or IB classes) to be available only for college-bound students that are academically gifted. The world of work has changed. Entry-level technician positions in Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare, Information Technology, Energy Production, and the Communication Industries (STEM-H centered business) require an equal foundation of academic rigor as college. Millions of jobs are available in these areas and begging for the potential employee with a strong STEM-H centered academic foundation in their k12 education.

• Parents have traditionally considered completion of a college degree to be the ticket for success with lifetime employment for their children. Therefore, schools have focused primarily on student preparation for college entrance in any curricular area. The advent of the global economy with technology development driving all aspects of the workplace has changed this. Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)-centric skills dominate the required skill set of most jobs. College graduates with majors outside STEM fields are challenged to find jobs available to them. Meanwhile entry-level technical jobs in STEM-H are in great demand and paying good wages to the student who has a strong STEM-H foundation in high school and completes an industry certification.

• Local communities typically find k12 education to be one of the largest items in their tax budget. Meanwhile, recent international test results that compare American students with their counterpart in other nations have revealed that, on average, our children are falling at the lowest end of achievement in math, science, and reading/writing skills. The question is often asked why we are spending more money to get such low performance. This question fails to take into account that since 1980 our nation has taken the position to legislate a focus on minimum competencies for all students. Tax dollars and accountability for schools are focused on having all students demonstrate mastery of minimum competencies. While one can legislate minimum standards we cannot identify or legislate excellence, for excellence is different for each child. Providing the opportunity for academic excellence is recommended but not defined or paid for through financial formulas for local schools. Yet, in a global economy, economic development will not happen where K-12 schools are not able to both define and support academic excellence, particularly in STEM-focused subjects.

Let us hope that the Governor and the Legislature will focus on education reform for local schools that will bring these new realities to light and support teachers and students as they prepare to meet the challenge of academic preparation for secure careers in this economy. Advanced academics class in math, science, and English is appropriate for all students seeking a career in a STEM focused area. Specific numbers differ depending on the report one reads but STEM focused jobs are expected to account for over 75% of the jobs that will be available by 2015 and beyond. About 20% of these jobs will require a bachelors degree or higher. The rest will begin at a technician-level that will require an equally strong foundation in math, science, and reading/writing skills. Success with minimum standards is a necessary step for all students but an insufficient expectation for STEM focused opportunities. Students should strive for the most rigorous math, science, and English classes that are available to them each year of their K12 education. The best work the legislature can do this year will be to secure Virginia’s economic future by wisely investing in the only pipeline to the future we have; today’s k12 classroom.