WHEREAS, Generally, the education system is not keeping pace with the ever-changing job market.
Many employers lament the disconnect between the skills that prospective employees possess and the jobs that are available. In 2014, the Bureau of Labor Statistics figures showed that when employers reported 4.6 million job openings in the United States, 9.5 million Americans reported unemployment
; and
WHEREAS, There is a need for qualified workers in the tech industry. Many of these jobs are high paying and offer substantial benefits. Yet many students leave high school without learning how to code; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Philadelphia students are leaving high school without learning basic skills, such as math reading and financial literacy. Research suggests that graduating unprepared students does little to increase their achievement or life chances. It is not uncommon to see students graduating high school who are reading and doing and doing math far below grade level. Additionally, it is not required for financial literacy to be taught in schools; and
WHEREAS, With the increasingly diverse workforce, teaching cultural relevancy and awareness is more important than ever; and
WHEREAS, If our children are graduating before they have the skills necessary that will enable them to survive in the real world there needs to be an adjustment in the curriculum so they will be enabled to obtain the knowledge needed; and
WHEREAS, While preparation for University is important,
students should understand there are high paying jobs available in vocational fields that do not require a 4-year college education. The Philadelphia School District has a robust CTE program, however, the courses available do not necessarily represent the work that is available in the job market, additionally students often leave their training without complete knowledge of the wide variety of jobs that exist and the types of options that are available to them
; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is the poorest big city in America, with at least quarter of our residents living at or below the poverty line. Financial empowerment is essential to stop the cycle of poverty. In order for financial empowerment to be possible it is essential that our children graduate prepared to take the next step; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings to discuss how well the School District of Philadelphia education curriculum is preparing its students for actual jobs in the workforce, increasing their cultural awareness, and what needs to be done to bridge the gap between education and workforce preparation.
End