A recent
survey we conducted in conjunction with Morning Consult confirms
something we’ve long suspected: Very few parents are confident that our
country’s schools are doing an adequate job of preparing students to lead
successful careers.

Though we have made significant technological advancements
in the last few decades, our educational approach has gone unchanged.
Workplaces are becoming increasingly dependent on 21^st-century
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills, but most American high
schoolers aren’t graduating with this critical skillset. They’re graduating
without a clear idea of what in-demand jobs await them and with a limited
understanding of what it will take to obtain those positions.

Changing this unfortunate reality isn’t just educators’
responsibility, however. Employers have a part to play as well – and parents
see it too.

If employers want to contribute to the educational system
that’s responsible for preparing students for successful careers, they must
join in on conversations about curriculum and share the skills they find most
valuable and difficult to come by. They must also offer students the
opportunity to put the things they learn in the classroom to work via
internship, externship, apprenticeship and job shadow experiences. In fact, we
believe work-based learning is so important, we’re launching a nationwide Job Shadow Week
on July 15.

Parents, educators and industry partners all have a part to
play in preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s workforce, and that starts
with us creating an education system that’s truly committed to Career
Readiness.

Click here
to view more insights from K12 and Morning Consult’s recent survey.