Winter 2007
The College & Work Ready Agenda: Improving the Odds of Student Success
Last year, the Technology Alliance joined forces with a number of business and labor organizations across Washington State to focus on transforming our education system to prepare students to be successful in higher education and 21st century careers. Last month, the coalition drew a line in the sand on an issue that figured prominently at the Technology Institute: the preparation gap between high school and postsecondary education.
For its report Improving the Odds: Preparing Washington Students for Family-Wage Jobs, the College & Work Ready Agenda coalition analyzed data indicating that the overwhelming majority of future jobs that pay at least a family-supporting wage in our state will be held by people with education or training beyond high school. Based on its analysis, the coalition has taken the position that a high school diploma issued in Washington State should, at a minimum, signify that a student is prepared to succeed in that post-secondary education or training.
The coalition is calling for Washington to align its minimum course-taking requirements for a high school diploma with the level of preparation required for students to be successful in college-level coursework, whether at a two-year community or technical college, apprenticeship program, or baccalaureate degree-granting institution. The recommended course credits also match up with the minimum requirements for application to a public, four-year college in Washington, ensuring students the greatest number of pathways to success after they leave high school.
“It is time to bring our high school graduation requirements in line with the realities of today’s economy,” said TA Executive Director Susannah Malarkey. “We import talent into our state to fill high-paying jobs in our innovative industries. In fact, three out of every four engineers currently hired come from outside of Washington State.”
“If we want Washington students to compete for Washington jobs, we need to set the right expectations and prepare students to meet them,” she continued. “Otherwise, our state may see tremendous opportunities created in our economy, but the door will be closed to our own children.”
The TA will continue to work with its coalition partners to advance the goal of an excellent education system, from early learning through graduate education, to support our students and ensure our future economic competitiveness.
To read more about the College & Work Ready Agenda, click here.
Advancing the “Virtuous Cycle” of Education, Research and Entrepreneurship: Highlights of the 2007 Technology Institute
Every other year, the Technology Alliance convenes a group of business leaders, heads of education and research institutions, and state policymakers to discuss the key issues facing Washington’s science and technology sector and how we as a state can bolster our long-term economic competitiveness. The retreat provides a unique opportunity to hear from state and national experts about our position in the global innovation economy and to discuss in depth how we can advance Washington’s future economic success.
At the 2007 retreat, a combination of keynote presentations, case studies and interactive panel discussions guided participants toward identifying strategies to position Washington for prosperity, focusing on strengthening the “virtuous cycle” of K-12 and higher education, research capacity and entrepreneurial climate in our state.
Two More MBA Students Get Their Wings as Part of Alliance of Angels Fellowship Program
Alliance of Angels, the Technology Alliance program that advances early stage investment and entrepreneur education, has ramped up its activities in recent months with the help of two new, part-time program managers: Jacob Miller, the 2007-08 William H. Gates, Sr. Fellow in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and 2007-08 K&L Gates Fellow Kevin Kirn.
Let There Be Light: New Series Flicks a Switch on Nanophotonics
Cell phones no thicker than a credit card. Clean, inexpensive power whenever and wherever it’s needed. Computers that operate literally at the speed of light. All of these and more will be made possible through nanophotonics, proving that good things really do come in small packages.
Holding Our Breath: Dr. David Sherman of Seattle Biomedical Research Institute Takes on Tuberculosis
At the November 9th breakfast of the Seattle Science & Technology Discovery Series, Dr. David Sherman, tuberculosis program director at SBRI, discussed the spread of TB across the globe and how researchers are working to develop new drugs to fight this tricky disease.
Vision and Leadership for Washington’s Long-term Economic Success: Technology Alliance Welcomes New Members of the Board
The TA continuously strives to bring together visionary leaders from Washington’s science and technology sector to advance our goals of excellent education systems, strong research capacity and a robust entrepreneurial climate. We are proud to welcome five outstanding individuals to our board of directors overseeing TA programs and activities that strengthen our state’s competitiveness in the knowledge-based economy.
Stay up to date with the Technology Alliance
Make it your New Year's resolution to update your contact information with the Technology Alliance. Email Kristin Osborne with new or changed email, mailing address, or phone number. Thanks.
A new angle
Check out the new blog of the Alliance of Angels--The Angel Angle--providing an inside look at angel deals, entrepreneurial innovation, and startup activity in the Pacific Northwest.
