Business Community has Vested Interest in Education

The commissioner of education in Texas recently came under fire for calling on business leaders to ban the hiring of school-age dropouts.

Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott’s theory (as reported by the DMN, FULL ARTICLE HERE), is that business leadership compels students to remain in school or continue their education via an online program.

"We need a commitment from businesses in this state to not hire kids who have dropped out of school," the commissioner said, according to the article. "It would send a powerful message to these kids to stay in school. It would be better for them, better for businesses and better for the state in the long run."

Such a plan sounds more off-the-cuff than well thought out, but Scott is right about one thing: a better educated workforce is better for the worker, better for business and better for the state in the long run.

By Lane Beattie, President and CEO, Salt Lake Chamber

Full Story: http://www.utahpulse.com/featured_article/business-community-has-vested-interest-education