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As business leaders representing every sector of the economy, Business Roundtable members know that the American economy thrives when U.S. workers have the levels of education and training needed to succeed in the jobs of today and tomorrow. Our country needs a world-class, skilled workforce to lead in global innovation, ensure future economic growth and drive job creation.

Unfortunately, the U.S. skills gap is real and growing. According to a Business Roundtable member survey, 94 percent of CEOs report that skills gaps are problematic for their companies. This talent gap affects all skill levels – from entry level to the highly technical.

More must be done now to strengthen the education and training pipeline serving youth and working adults so that individuals have the skills needed to be prepared to work and build sustainable career paths.

TAP Coalition America COMPETES Letter

We, the undersigned U.S. companies and business organizations represented by the Tapping America’s Potential (TAP) Coalition, endorse H.R. 5116, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010.

Co-Chairs of the Business Coalition for Student Achievement Statement on Race to the Top

As co-chairs of the Business Coalition for Student Achievement (BCSA), we applaud Secretary Duncan for the strong execution of Phase I of the Race to the Top competition.

Business Roundtable Statement on Race to the Top Competition

Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs of America’s leading companies, commends the promotion of education reform and higher performance through the U.S. Department of Education’s Race to the Top program.

Coalition for Student Achievement on the Administration’s Blueprint for ESEA Reauthorization

The Business Coalition for Student Achievement commends the Administration’s release of its Blueprint for Education Reform: The Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The blueprint provides a thoughtful outline that builds on positive features of No Child Left Behind and has the potential to strengthen America's public education system significantly.

Statement from Business Roundtable on the Release of Proposed K-12 Common Core State Standards

Business Roundtable’s CEOs are pleased with the proposed K-12 Common Core State Standards released today by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State Officers. These standards, developed in conjunction with teachers, school administrators and experts, represent one of the most important developments in the history of American education.

Principles for the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

The Business Coalition for Student Achievement (BCSA) – representing business leaders from every sector of the economy – believes that improving the K-12 education system in the U.S. is necessary to provide a strong foundation for both U.S. competitiveness and for individuals to succeed in our rapidly changing world. We are committed to working with all stakeholders on this essential task.

Business Leaders Urge Expanded Investment in Technological Innovation and STEM Education

John J. Castellani, President of Business Roundtable, today testified before the House Committee on Science and Technology in support of the reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act.

Springboard Report Release: Case Studies

The State of Washington recently launched a new performance funding system for community and technical colleges called the Student Achievement Initiative. Its goal is to “raise the knowledge and skills of the state’s residents” by increasing education attainment across the state. Its four primary metrics that determine financial rewards for institutions are:

Getting Ahead — Staying Ahead - Fact Sheet

Business Roundtable launched The Springboard Project to develop innovative recommendations to change the way the United States approaches training and education so that American workers prosper in the 21st-Century’s evolving labor market.

Getting Ahead — Staying Ahead: Helping America’s Workforce Succeed in the 21st Century

Business Roundtable launched The Springboard Project to address the challenges America’s workforce is facing with intensifying competition in an evolving global marketplace that values talent and innovation.

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Committee Priorities

Improve U.S. K-12 Education

A persistent complaint by employers is that many high school and college graduates – as well as some adult workers – lack foundational skills needed in the 21st century workplace. These include, for example, analyzing complex texts, adapting to new technologies and problem solving.

Rigorous academic standards in K-12 English language arts and mathematics are critical to ensuring all students graduate from high school ready for college and the workforce. Business Roundtable supports the full adoption and implementation of high-quality education standards and aligned assessments to raise the performance of U.S. students. Business Roundtable also supports policies and programs that ensure all students read on grade level by the end of third grade.

Align Individual Skills with Employer Needs

Businesses increasingly have difficulty finding employees with the knowledge and training required to meet their workforce needs. This includes both technical skills – such as aptitude in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) – and applied skills – such as leadership, problem-solving and communications abilities. This misalignment of skills exacerbates unemployment and stifles economic growth.

Business Roundtable believes a multifaceted solution, involving public and private players, is needed to address this skills mismatch problem. As a start, employers must send a clear, direct “demand signal” of the foundational attributes employees must demonstrate to succeed in the workplace; industry needs to sort out the large and chaotic world of industry credentials; state workforce boards and educational and training centers must understand job needs in each region and focus on helping students acquire the skills needed to fill those jobs; and human resources practices must improve across industry to identify competencies gained through valid credential programs and relevant experience.

Key Federal Legislation

Business Roundtable will continue to advocate for federal legislation that authorizes programs and policies that improve educational outcomes and help close the skills gap, including reauthorization of America COMPETES, the Carl D. Perkins Act and the Higher Education Act.

Committee's Recent Activities

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