Study: Students need more paths to career success

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CHRISTINE=20 ARMARIO
Published: Feb 2, 2011

The current U.S. education system is failing to prepare millions of = young=20 adults for successful careers by providing a one-size-fits-all approach, = and it=20 should take a cue from its European counterparts by offering greater = emphasis on=20 occupational instruction, a Harvard University study published Wednesday = concludes.

The two-year study by the Pathways to Prosperity Project at the = Harvard=20 University Graduate School of Education notes that while much emphasis = is placed=20 in high school on going on to a four-year college, only 30 percent of = young=20 adults in the United States successfully complete a bachelor's = degree.

While the number of jobs that require no post-secondary education = have=20 declined, the researchers note that only one-third of the jobs created = in the=20 coming years are expected to need a bachelor's degree or higher. Roughly = the=20 same amount will need just an associate's degree or an occupational=20 credential.

"What I fear is the continuing problem of too many kids dropping by = the=20 wayside and the other problem of kids going into debt, and going into = college=20 but not completing with a degree or certificate," said Robert Schwartz, = who=20 heads the project and is academic dean of the Harvard Graduate School of = Education. "Almost everybody can cite some kid who marched off to = college=20 because it was the only socially legitimate thing to do but had no real=20 interest."

The report highlights an issue that has been percolating among = education=20 circles: That school reform should include more emphasis on = career-driven=20 alternatives to a four-year education.

The study recommends a "comprehensive pathways network" that would = include=20 three elements: embracing multiple approaches to help youth make the = transition=20 to adulthood, involving the nation's employers in things like work-based = learning, and creating a new social compact with young people.

Many of the ideas aren't new, and leaders, including President Barack = Obama,=20 have advocated for an increased role for community colleges so the = country can=20 once again lead the world in the proportion of college graduates. U.S. = Education=20 Secretary Arne Duncan will deliver opening remarks at the report's = release in=20 Washington.

But the idea of providing more alternatives, rather than emphasizing = a=20 four-year college education for all, hasn't been without controversy. = Critics=20 fear students who opt early for a vocational approach might limit their = options=20 later on, or that disadvantaged students at failing schools would be = pushed into=20 technical careers and away from the highly selective colleges where = their=20 numbers are already very slim.

"You've got to work on both fronts at once," Schwartz said, arguing = for=20 intensifying efforts to get more low-income and minority students into = selective=20 institutions while strengthening the capacity of two-year colleges.

The study recommends that all major occupations be clearly outlined = at the=20 start of high school. Students would see directly how their course = choices=20 prepare them careers that interest them - but still be able to change = their=20 minds. Students should also be given more opportunities for work-based = learning,=20 such as job shadowing and internships.

Students, the researchers recommend, should get career counseling and = work-related opportunities early on - no later than middle school. In = high=20 school, students would have access to educational programs designed with = the=20 help of industry leaders, and they'd be able to participate in paid=20 internships.

The report notes that many European countries already have such an = approach,=20 and that their youth tend to have a smoother transition into adulthood. = And not=20 all separate children into different paths at an early age. Finland and = Denmark,=20 for example, provide all students with a comprehensive education through = grades=20 9 or 10. Then they are allowed to decide what type of secondary = education they'd=20 like to pursue.

Barney Bishop, president and CEO of Advanced Industries of Florida, = said he=20 would advocate for an approach that provides more alternatives and = greater=20 inclusion of the business community.

"The problem for the business community is where you have kids who = don't have=20 the rudimentary skills, and you have to take the time and effort to = train them,=20 get them some of the rudimentary skills, plus the special skills," he = said.

Sandy Baum, an independent higher education policy analyst, said she = think=20 there needs to be more counseling in advising students about how to make = the=20 right choices.

"I don't think the problem is too many people going to four-year = colleges,"=20 she said. "The problem is too many people making inappropriate = choices.

"What we'd like is a system where people of all backgrounds could = choose to=20 be plumbers or to be philosophers," Baum added. "Those options are not = open. But=20 we certainly need plumbers so it's wrong to think we should be nervous = about=20 directing people in that route."