Measure Would Create Board To Set Work-Readiness Skills

By Lonnie Harp

WASHINGTON--House lawmakers last week opened hearings on a bill aimed at making school work more relevant to the job market.

Described by lawmakers as a follow-up to the work of the Secretary of Labor's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills, which is expected to issue its final report this month, the legislation's primary aim is the creation of a national panel that would translate work skills into academic curricula.

The bill, HR 4078, also would provide grants to school districts to address workforce needs...