School solutions
Manufacturers support an effective education system that bestows strong basic skills on students aligned in close collaboration between education providers and employers to ensure that their curricula meet workforce and college demands. New graduates need the basic foundational skills in reading, writing, math and science along with other career development programs. Regardless of whether students are heading to college, or the new collar workforce, this type of “learning that works” will help them prepare for their future.
Schools need to work closely with local businesses to develop the needed skills through apprenticeships, industry-recognized credentials and or the right degrees to be career ready. To its credit, Virginia is moving ahead with a plan to create a new type of school that involves unique partnerships called “lab schools,” proposed by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. These partnerships would be between public and private universities and colleges, as well as private companies and local K-12 schools. These lab schools would have a specific focus, such as STEM or literacy, or a particular skill or industry will create learning environments that engage students in hands-on learning.
In Hampton Roads, the New Horizons Regional Education Centers in partnership with employers and the regional school districts have deployed the Good Life Solution Program that prepares students to be career-ready to accept their first job and enter the new collar workforce. Together, we can graduate skilled career- and college-ready citizens.
Glenn Marshall, Association for Manufacturing Excellence, Williamsburg
Passing through
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (aka “Trumpkin,” as I’ve heard from some) certainly seems to be emphasizing Virginia business, showing his good Republican side, but for the average citizen, it seems increasingly clear that he is just rolling through the commonwealth as a stepping stone to the top.
He has tossed around the usual conservative tropes to get the party’s attention, and now it looks like he’s ready to move on as quickly as possible. It doesn’t feel like he has a really deep, heartfelt concern for Virginia and Virginians but is only in it for raw power and his obvious political ambition. It might work for him, but I am glad he only has four years to tromp through Virginia as a relatively brief stopover on his train to Washington. Well, thanks for the new business, governor, but don’t slam the door on the way out.
Bill Candler, Norfolk
Affirmative action
The Supreme Court heard arguments recently on affirmative action, as an element in college admissions. The comments from the court imply the policy may be in jeopardy. It’s an important issue but the broader issue may go deeper. If admissions with a racial element are unconstitutional, then it follows that so are race-based elements in congressional and statehouse districts. State legislatures could no longer draw districts to allow minority representation that would otherwise not occur if the districts were drawn simply to evenly allocate population. Rep. Donald McEachin of the 4th District and Rep. Bobby Scott of the 3rd District would have to compete in districts with larger white populations. They could win, but they would lose the minority racial edge in their districts.
The court is also set to rule on religion as a basis to deny service in an establishment like a bakery or a restaurant. The case involves refusing to serve a LBGT person. The comments from the court are not as clear, but again, if the right to refuse service based on religion is affirmed, it will have very far-reaching consequences. Not that long ago in our history slavery/Jim Crow was justified by a few in that “the sons of Ham were cursed” (from the flood story in Genesis). Are we set to effectively overturn the 1964 Civil Rights Act? Could owners use religion as a basis to refuse service to minorities? The issues before the court have broad consequences.
David Wynne, Virginia Beach