Education: Pathways to Prosperity Require Family Element

Last week, the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Pathways to Prosperity Project released a 50+ page report examining the a “skills gap,” which has grown dramatically over the past decade, in which many young adults lack the skills and work ethic needed for many jobs that pay a middle-class wage.  The report, Pathways to Prosperity: Meeting the Challenge of Preparing Young Americans for the 21st Century puts forth three elements:

1)     Multiple Pathways for education, starting in high school.  Note, this is modeled after some European systems that have been in existence for more than 40 years.

2)     Employer involvement – Require them to become engaged in the education process, at an early age, in helping to set standards and design programs of study, and in providing greatly expanded opportunities for work-linked learning.  Note, many employers currently offer student co-op and apprenticeship programs.  It is dubious to assume that employers will be required or compelled to do this, however.

3)     A new social contract with the youth – educators will play a central role, with major contributions from employers and the government.  The contract would “spell out what educators, employers and governments will do to provide pathways, and how they will support young people as they navigate them.”  In analyzing such a social contract, it is important to mention a 2008 report, by Child Trends, cited by the Harvard report, that “researchers, on healthy youth development, place far more emphasis on spiritual development (including a sense of purpose), and developing a positive identity and healthy habits [including a strong work ethic] than do those who focus on workforce readiness or college readiness.” 

Note, this spiritual dimension and work ethic is developed and nurtured principally within the family unit and not by educators, employers, and the government.  Strong families have always been the true pathway to prosperity!