Right now, far too many students, especially students of color, are graduating from high school unprepared for college and career. This hurts students and our economic prospects. In just two years, more than 70 percent of the state’s jobs will require some form of education beyond high school, and nearly one third of our state’s working-age population—including almost half of our youngest workers—will be people of color.

This session, we will continue to push for clear, easily accessible data on how well students are being prepared for college and/or their careers, and we will advocate for an annual report on the skill levels required for the fastest-growing jobs in our state. This information can be used to help families and policymakers make better decisions about our future.