A national consortium of workforce development organizations and major employers recently completed an in-depth study of the corporate perspective on the readiness of entrants into the U.S. workforce. The consortium conducted a national survey to collect employers’ perspectives on the work readiness skills of employees with differing levels of educational attainment. The majority of the employers responding to the survey said high school graduates were deficient in a number of critical work readiness skills. 

In today’s increasingly technical and information based job market, a high school diploma is no longer an adequate credential for employment.  All students need access to some kind of post-secondary education and training to prepare for viable careers in the 21st century.

Realizing the goal of post-secondary education for all will require a significant change in beliefs and practice, especially for students who were once labeled “not college material.”  Post-secondary education is a barrier for many.  College is a daunting prospect, especially for first-generation college-going students, low-achieving students, and students who face financial constraints.

Every year, Omaha Public Schools conducts an annual follow-up survey of that year’s graduating class.  For students in the class of 2006, 64 percent of all students and only 53 percent of low-income students attended colleges, universities, trade schools or work-related training in the fall after their graduations.  While 64 percent were enrolled in the fall after graduation, only 56 percent attended for a full academic year.  A significant majority of those who stopped attending reported they did so for financial reasons.