Published: June 20, 2007

The Echo Chamber: Diplomas Count 2007

June 20, 2007

Findings from the report Diplomas Count 2007: Ready for What? Preparing Students for College, Careers, and Life After High School suggest that those without a high school diploma are relegated to the least desirable jobs in the economy. High school graduates are better off, but not by much. To have a real shot at a decent job with a future, some education past high school is needed. Getting readiness right is arguably one of the most important challenges facing those involved in high school reform and policymaking. But it’s also one of the most vexing.

Should schools prepare all students for college? From the employer’s perspective, what is the value of a high school diploma today? Should states increase the requirements for a high school diploma to make it more valuable? Are states doing enough to prepare their students for highly skilled careers that do not require a bachelor’s degree? What happens if the state’s well-prepared students leave and move to states with more robust economies? Some people are saying the states are on track while other observers suggest there is plenty more to do. Still others are saying that ensuring career readiness for all is a national issue, requiring leadership beyond state-level initiatives.

Jay Matthews, Washington Post staff writer

"We are in the midst of a heated national debate over whether or not high schools should try to prepare all students for college. I say yes, but I acknowledge that the no side has a good argument: Since at least a third of high schoolers don't want to go to college, why not train them for the job market instead?

The suggestion makes sense, until you look carefully at what it takes to get a good job after high school these days. Those of us who support the college-for-all approach are marking up the latest report from Education Week and waving it in front of our friends on the college-not-for-all side. It shows that the latest data are running in our favor."

—"The Power of Assuming All Need College," June 19, 2007

Dana Egreczky, vice president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

"Our high school diploma doesn't mean anything to employers. It used to be a ticket to the middle class, but not anymore."

—"Jersey Ranks 2nd in Graduation Rate," The (N.J.) Star-Ledger, June 13, 2007

Joe Morton, Alabama Superintendent of Education

''It is a pretty rigorous curriculum [Alabama's advanced diploma track]. The problem is, not everybody takes it. Some states are requiring their students to take those courses. I'd be willing to have a conversation about that.''

—"State 47th to Graduate High School Students," The Birmingham News, June 13, 2007

Stanley Hopkins, West Virginia Assistant State Superintendent

"Clearly in the global-oriented world that we live in today, the vast majority of our young people will be required to participate in some kind of post-secondary education. That's not all four-year degrees, it can be two year, technical or vocational training, apprenticeships or other special schooling. We're working very, very closely with the community college system in West Virginia to address the needs of a skilled work force."

—"Study: College Education Means Better Jobs," Associated Press, June 12, 2007

Sandy Garrett, Oklahoma State Superintendent

"…with more than 51 percent of our workforce already in Zone 3 jobs or better, this report tells me that the high school reforms we are implementing now will reap huge dividends for the state in the near future in terms of enhanced economic development and more quality jobs."

—"Annual, National Report on High School Education Reports Oklahoma Above National Averages, Reform Leader," press release, Oklahoma State Department of Education, June 12, 2007

Jon Reisman, economics and public policy professor, University of Maine at Machias

"The issue is, if you improve the quality of the work force, will the people stay here or will they go? They will have more opportunities. The question is, will it be here or elsewhere?"

—"Post-High School Education Seen as Key to Advancement," Portland (M.E.) Press Herald, June 13, 2007

Maureen Downey, Editorial, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Long before all the low-level jobs fled to China, they would stream to Georgia, a state eager to satisfy an industry demand for unskilled, nonunion employees accepting of paltry wages. … Nothing underscores the state's lack of readiness for the new economic reality better than its bottom-of-the-barrel high school graduation rate… If Georgia made halving its dropout rate a top priority … the curative impact of that achievement would spread across all sectors of government and society, from lower prison populations to higher employment rates, from less welfare dependency to soaring tax collections."

—"Don't Tolerate Dropout Crisis," June 14, 2007

Roy Romer, former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, chairman of the Strong American Schools

"To be ready for college, work and life in the 21st century, American children need strong schools and a strong education. To make sure that happens, the candidates who aspire to be president of the United States need to have plans to tell us how they will get that done."

—"U.S. Must Focus on Education," Los Angeles Daily News, June 17, 2007