Education Key to Area Development – Find Out How Your Business Can Play A Part

The Chamber is dedicated to providing the most up to date information regarding topics that affect your business and the area as a whole. Education is one area that requires attention.

According to the Texas Scholars website (www.texasscholars.org), “public education "has led to a country that's been very innovative and created lots of jobs," Microsoft chairman and philanthropist Bill Gates told Business Week magazine in June 2006. "Yet when you look at it, you think the broad excellence we need and the changes we need aren't necessarily going to happen" without intervention from the private sector.”

The natural question that should arise is – how can my company play a part in maintaining a well-educated, high-quality workforce?

The Chamber has programs for you and your co-workers to be involved in area schools and to be face to face with area students. Check our website or contact Lindsay Moffett at lmoffett@dallaschamber.org for more information on these programs. For those interested in Dallas ISD, join us on September 29 to hear from current Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Michael Hinojosa, as well as former superintendents including Dr. Linus Wright. More event information can be found at www.dallaschamber.org.

Looking past public education, we cannot neglect higher education in the region. Institutions of higher education prepare the area workforce as well as your current workforce and need your support as well. One main focus of the legislative session from this spring was on the topic of
Tier 1. For those not involved in education in some form or fashion, this terminology is foreign. Area university presidents will address local business members on August 25 at a breakfast at the Park City Club. Event information can be found at www.dallaschamber.org.

Business Tools for Schools explains it well on their website: “Today's students are tomorrow’s workforce. In order for public schools to prepare the next generation of well-educated employees, and in order for businesses to ensure their own futures, companies must partner with policymakers, school districts, parents, students and educators to improve education performance. By participating in local and state education reform efforts, business leaders can provide government officials, educators and students with a realistic view of the skills required for success in today's and tomorrow's workplace. Businesses can also underscore how rapidly the world and the workplace are changing, which is often necessary to spark real, lasting change in public education."

We know that your time and resources as a company are extremely valuable, so we encourage you to find out how you can impact the area education systems in a way that benefits you now as well as in the future. Please contact the Chamber for more information regarding our education initiatives or to discuss how your business can be involved in area education efforts. E-mail education@dallaschamber.org for more information.