Panelists Discuss Education, Accountability, and the Future Workforce

Education took center stage in the keynote address at the Collin Leadership Policy Summit as panelists discussed future workforce needs in the state of Texas.

The panel featured Margaret Spellings, president and chief executive officer of Texas 2036, and Rich Templeton, Texas Instruments chairman, president, and chief executive officer, with Collin College District President Dr. Neil Matkin as moderator. While discussion topics ranged from hiring practices and Texas Instruments new facility to broadband deserts and the need for college loan reform, much of the conversation revolved around preparing students for careers in an increasingly technical and educated society.

After introductory remarks and panelist background, Dr. Matkin asked Spellings about her goals for education in the upcoming state legislative session and specifically about addressing the current kindergarten-12^th grade teacher shortage.

Texas has been a fantastic magnet for talent from around the country and around the world but we have to do a better job at educating our own students in our own schools, Spellings said.

Spellings, who served as the U.S. Secretary of Education under President George W. Bush, went on to say that the state must improve student outcomes at every level, and there must be a renewed sense of urgency about education. She said there would be serious discussions in the legislative session about the need for high standards and appropriate measurements to determine which areas need improvement.

She added that several factors need to be addressed to remedy the teacher shortage in addition to educators salaries. Support for teachers in classroom discipline and control, mental health, and all of the guts of what it takes to manage a classroom will all be before the legislature. She said the legislature must also look at ways to bring more people with skills and information to impart but who have shied away from teaching because of the professions current high barriers and long-term contract structures. She said the one-size-fits-all model might need to be changed.

We have to make the profession more attractive to people who want to get into it as a labor of love, Spellings said.

Templeton, a strong supporter of Texas 2036, said that creating a pipeline of skilled workers is vital to high-tech industries. Texas Instruments works with colleges and universities to ensure a continuous workforce of engineers and technicians.

He expressed some concerns about whether Texas students are being prepared to enter those college programs or well-paying jobs.

I think about the cost of us as a society if we are not getting these people educated and then into great jobs, he said. We can work together, asTI and Collin College, on where we are going and what our plans are, but weve got a bigger challenge that we need to take on as community leaders.

Templeton said having the right skill programs in place will be significant in providing opportunities for tomorrows workers and leaders. Another challenge, he said, will be finding a way to improve underperforming schools in socioeconomically challenged areas.

To view the video of this panel session, click here. For more information about the inaugural summit, visit www.collin.edu/policysummit/.