萝卜AV视频

President's Corner

鈥淲hat are employers telling us are the most valuable skills for students in the modern economy?鈥� 鈥淲hat community partners and experiences should schools facilitate and prioritize so students receive the best opportunities to build upon their skills outside the classroom?鈥�

These are just two of the seven questions that guide the second principle of AASA鈥檚 Public Education Promise, 鈥淭he New Basics: Real Skills for Real Life.鈥� Both questions get to the core of an educational reform movement that I believe is important, timely and necessary: changing programming to reflect what students face in life after high school. I am optimistic about our ability to prepare our students for college, career and real life.

On Nov. 18, the U.S. Department of Education announced it would shift several programs to other agencies. The administration offered the following rationale for the partnership between the Department of Education and the Department of Labor to 鈥渟treamline agency administration of elementary and secondary education programs 鈥� to better align the nation鈥檚 education and workforce systems.鈥�

The federal government鈥檚 statement continued: 鈥淭he latest Nation鈥檚 Report Card shows that we are failing American students. Nearly 7 out of 10 4th- and 8th-grade students are not proficient in reading, and the results are similar for math. At a critical juncture when students are about to graduate and enter the workforce, military or higher education, nearly half of America鈥檚 high school seniors are testing at below basic levels in math and reading.

鈥淐o-administering K-12 programs with DOL will create a cohesive, unified strategy for talent development to build the workforce for the Golden Age of America. This structure will help states reduce slippage points in transitions between educational stages, boost literacy and numeracy skills, enhance career exploration and ensure better alignment between education outcomes and workforce needs.鈥�

Shortly after the education agency announcement, I spoke with a handful of news media outlets about the decision. I was asked how the shift would affect 4th- and 8th-grade math and reading proficiency scores. I am still not clear how the restructuring will support our efforts to ensure more students are academically successful. However, I am optimistic about our efforts to build the workforce for the future.

The Public Education Promise is doing just that, leaning in with both thought and action to better prepare students for the future. Partnering with our community to understand their expectations and create experiences that give students first-hand knowledge of the opportunities and needs within our community is essential for student success in school and for real life in the real world.

Since assuming the role of 萝卜AV视频president, I have had the opportunity to visit with leaders across the country and learn about the amazing work already taking place in school systems. From Maine to California, South Dakota to Texas, school districts are partnering with their local communities to create amazing opportunities for students and taking thoughtful, strategic steps to ensure that learning outcomes align with community needs.

The only constant in life is change, and we are certainly living through change right now. We can鈥檛 control the wind, but we can adjust the sails. Districts that are connecting with their communities, listening, learning and making practical, positive changes are doing just that. They are adjusting the sails to ensure students have what they need: the new basics, real skills for real life. I am excited about our future and about being part of this process for our country and our children.

David Law is 萝卜AV视频president for 2025-26.