Last month, the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation (Foundation) launched ElevateEdAZ, an innovative and collaborative education platform designed to prepare individuals for college and career through stronger alignment between education, business, and the community.
The launch event was held virtually and included discussions about the challenges students are facing both nationally and locally as they prepare for life after high school, including pathways to meaningful careers, skills attainment, and current barriers as a result of COVID-19.
“We believe the pathway to a meaningful career is a flexible journey that ensures that all doors are open to all students,” shares Todd Sanders, President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation.
Setting the Stage
Jade Grieve, Senior Advisor of America Achieves kicked off the event by outlining education challenges on the national scale.
Grieve began by acknowledging the mission and purpose of ElevateEdAZ, stating that the key to combatting the current challenges in our education system is by better linking education with employment, providing more high-quality programs to give high school students the skills necessary to succeed, today and tomorrow.
She emphasized the importance of building a system that will work for all students, as the rapidly changing nature of work has altered what it means to attain a good job. Through better educational alignment, the development of validated programs, and recognition of high-quality credentials, students will be better prepared to enter the workforce to obtain careers in these high-demand areas.
Next, Adriana Murrietta, Executive Director of Pharos Foundation joined the discussion to share her take on local education challenges. Pharos Foundation is passionate about helping all students realize a successful pathway from high school to career. In doing local research, including site visits to schools with vocational programs, it was clear that current business trends and workforce needs were missing from the curriculum.
“Business plays a significant role in helping align education to industry demands” Murrietta notes. She explained that the business perspective also allows students to see the wide variety of career options available to them.
Why ElevateEdAZ?
The Foundation primarily serves as an intermediary between businesses and the community, building stronger talent pipelines to enhance regional economic prosperity. It is increasingly important to begin building these talent pipelines starting at K-12.
The Foundation commissioned DCM Consulting and ExcelinEd to develop a comprehensive report outlining to educational landscape in Arizona and defining its most significant areas of opportunity.
From this analysis, Jennifer Mellor, Chief Innovation Officer for the Foundation explains that the data “is not indicative of any one failure, but frankly a disconnect between industry and education.” For example, work-based learning opportunities, which are critically important in elevating the student classroom experience, are often missing from educational curriculum.
ElevateEdAZ plans to develop a model that can be replicated in regions throughout Arizona. The current program is a two-and-a-half-year pilot, partnering with the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU).
It’s Time for Business and Education to Work Together
The event led to a discussion from local business leader and public policy expert, Jaime A. Molera, and education provider and PXU Superintendent, Dr. Chad Gestson.
Molera, who also serves as the ElevateEdAZ steering committee chairman, reiterated the importance of the business community engaging with students and educators to provide meaningful experiences to help students thrive after high school.
“This is not about just getting students jobs,” Molera explains, “but about the opportunities that will lead to their passion and excitement so they can make meaningful change in the community.”
Dr. Gestson elevates that message by noting that this year alone, PXU will graduate 6,000 students which means 6,000 new employees, and that their goal is to best prepare each of them for college and career through college-going initiatives, hands-on experiences, and dedicated curriculum.
“It is incumbent upon us to partner with businesses in every industry to make sure students are truly prepared and excited for the industry,” says Gestson.
Molera and Gestson agree that it is time for business and education to come together, be innovative, and to bend a few rules to ensure the students of today become the workforce we need tomorrow.
Preparing Students in a Virtual World
A consistent topic of discussion was the impact of COVID-19 on education and work. The current state of remote learning has brought a heightened awareness of the Digital Divide many students within our community and across the country face.
Many students do not have access to a computer or internet connection, causing a wider gap of challenges facing those poorer communities. While initiatives like Connect AZ Students and Every Student Connected are bringing computers and internet access to students across the state, businesses and education providers are also learning to become more innovative in the way they deliver their curriculum.
One advantage of COVID-19 is the innovative use of technology both inside and outside of the classroom. Educators now have the ability to develop curriculum that includes business engagement through virtual lessons and webinars, which will provide a clear advantage moving forward in helping students learn about different career pathways and gain skills necessary in college and career.
See firsthand how ElevateEdAZ is impacting the lives of students, educators, and employers in this short video, featuring representatives from our pilot program.
To learn more about ElevateEdAZ, or to get involved as a business or education provider, please visit www.elevateedaz.com/getinvolved or contact us at education@phoenixchamber.com.