The report asserted the need for significant social, financial, and political investments to provide teachers with professional-level development, pay, career opportunities, performance accountability, decision-making flexibility, and portability of credentials and pensions.
Businesses, teachers' unions, and a focus group of teachers reviewed and commented on report drafts.
The report resulted from a series of forums around the country, chaired by CEOs and university chancellors, such as California State University President Charles Reed. It represents the first time the business community has come together to send a unified message on improving teacher quality.
In early 2001, the report "Investing in Teaching" was published by the National Alliance of Business, the Business Roundtable, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the U.S. They challenged us to develop a project on improving the quality of the teaching profession. Business leaders found reaffirmation from their spouses, aunts, uncles, and children who are teachers. Examining the research, business became convinced that the single most powerful factor in improving student performance is the quality of the teacher. Three years ago, our board was presented with data on the quality of the teaching force and anticipated changes over the next ten years. Our 5,000 members include companies of all sizes and industries, their CEOs and senior executives, educators, and business-led coalitions. The National Alliance of Business focuses solely on improving the quality of education over a lifetime. These experiences allow educators to absorb the practices of the workplace, including the values of teamwork and innovation, to reorganize classrooms and schools.
More than 1,300 local and state business-education coalitions around the country are working collegially with educators to improve education in the elementary grades, raise math and science achievement, create centers for teachers' professional development, and exploit new media otherwise unimaginable for schools.Ĭorporations not only encourage their employees to go into school districts, they also provide summer employment opportunities for teachers. While substantial corporate contributions continue, providing funds is a lesser aspect of business involvement in education. Further, good schools mean good communities and a healthier, more civil, and more innovative society.Īnother myth is that the most important thing business can do is give money. While it is true that better-educated workers lead to a more productive and adaptable workforce, the ultimate beneficiary is the individual. One is that the business community's involvement with education is motivated by self-interest. There are certain myths about business involvement in education. He commits much of his personal and professional time to education by running meetings for his managers on education issues, convening education and business leaders, and serving as head of major national business organizations. Our former chairman, Edward Rust Jr., chairman and CEO of State Farm Insurance Companies, is a good example of CEO leadership. Businesses are actively involved in their own communities in helping to set policies and practices aimed at raising student performance.Įmployers encourage their employees to sit on local school and state boards of education, participate in local coalitions, and offer national leadership. There are many levels of business involvement, starting with individual employees who commit their own volunteer time and resources to improving conditions in schools.