To Boost U.S. Competitiveness, Leaders Endorse Rigorous Academic Standards in New Videos

March 31, 2015 - Washington, D.C. / PR Newswire / — Today, the Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) unveiled a video series that features business and education leaders discussing why college– and career–ready standards benefit students and employers. The series consists of three videos and is part of the nonpartisan, business–led public policy organization’s work to support the implementation of high–quality K–12 standards and education systems across the country.

“U.S. students have the potential for quality careers in high–demand fields which are increasingly the source of good job opportunities, but each year, approximately one million fail to graduate high school on time, and one in five needs remediation in college,” said Howard Fluhr, a CED Member and Chairman of The Segal Group. “Our videos demonstrate how rigorous educational standards will help students succeed in higher education and in their careers.”

The following interviewees, four of whom are CED Members, share their insights in the series:

Carl Camden, President & CEO of Kelly Services, Inc.
Howard Fluhr, Chairman of The Segal Group
Lisa A. Hook, President & CEO of Neustar, Inc.
Robert Mendenhall, President of Western Governors University
Pedro A. Noguera, Ph.D., Professor of Education at New York University (non-CED Member)

Each video features themes associated with the need for, and implications of, a high-quality education system:

Education Through the Lens of Business describes the skills gap between the needs of American companies and the skill sets of the nation’s students and graduates.

Leveling the Playing Field in Education sheds light on why having high standards across the country will yield greater access and opportunities for all students.

Economic Benefits of Strong Educational Standards details the state of U.S. education levels and its impact on global competitiveness, along with the demand for higher education to meet the needs of a 21st century workforce.

“Our series makes the case from a business perspective for college– and career–ready standards to ensure all students have the opportunity to be successful in any postsecondary pathway they choose,” said Cindy Cisneros, CED’s Vice President of Education Programs. “Film often captures the significance of an issue better than any other medium, including why the adoption of these standards is an economic imperative.”

The videos can be viewed at www.ced.org/k12videos. CED has also developed a smartphone app containing numerous, easily accessible resources to support and learn about college– and career–ready standards. It can be downloaded in the Apple store here and the Android store here, or by searching for its title, “Business4Readiness,” in either store. The videos and app were produced with the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

ABOUT CED
Founded in 1942, the Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, business–led public policy organization that delivers well–researched analysis and reasoned solutions to our nation’s most critical issues. CED’s work is grounded on seven core principles: sustainable capitalism, long–term economic growth, efficient fiscal and regulatory policy, competitive and open markets, a globally competitive workforce, equal economic opportunity, and nonpartisanship in the nation’s interest. Learn more at www.ced.org.

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Media Contact:
Joseph DiBlasi
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