Education
Quality education is essential to a skilled and competitive workforce. Access to education, coupled with reliable, quality childcare is key for improving economic opportunities for all Americans.
Our education system is failing many students as shown by data that reveals two-thirds of our fourth and eighth graders are unable to read or do math at their grade level. And the United States ranks below a number of other countries in reading and math proficiency. Recognizing the importance of childcare as a key component of the education system is crucial to addressing the current challenges and ensuring that every child has the support they need to thrive.
- 6th in ReadingGlobal Ranking for U.S. Students
- 10th in ScienceGlobal Ranking for U.S. Students
- 26th in MathGlobal Ranking for U.S. Students
Introducing Commerce Meets Classroom, a new series from our K-12 education Senior Manager, Kyle Butler, featuring the business perspective on pressing education issues.
Stories of Education and Workforce in Action
Across our nation’s talent pipeline, we explore the stories of employers investing in the workforce of today and tomorrow to close the skills gap.
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Programs and Initiatives
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People recognize the impact this pandemic has on the education system, and organizations are gathering resources to support teachers, learners, and parents.
The economy and the labor market that powers it has undergone unprecedented transformation in recent months. Collaboration between the business and education communities is more important than ever. As labor markets adapt, communication between employers and educators—and the agility to adjust when needed—is critically important.
As businesses look to persevere through the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 and rebuild for the future, there is an even greater need to hold workforce education accountable for career growth and business impact.
At 7:30 p.m. on a late summer Thursday, Deloris Hogan was hunched over her kitchen counter cutting up freshly harvested cucumbers, strawberries and red bell peppers from her vegetable garden for six young children at her home in New Rochelle. Her husband, Patrick, standing a few feet away, scraped the cheese off four slices of pizza to accommodate a couple of picky eaters.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today released a report examining the impact of childcare issues on Pennsylvania’s state economy. The study found that Pennsylvania loses an estimated $3.47 billion annually for the state’s economy.
Building on the work of other states, we partnered with the business communities in Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania and their early education partners to understand just how much breakdowns in childcare cost each state. In this study we looked at the causes of childcare challenges as well as motivations behind why parents select various childcare providers. Knowing many employers want to facilitate more access to childcare but do not know where to begin, we sought to learn what types of childcare benefits working parents desire most from employers.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today released a report examining the impact of childcare issues on Idaho’s state economy. The study found that Idaho loses an estimated $479 million annually for the state’s economy. This number includes an estimated $65 million annual loss in tax revenue as well as an estimated annual loss to Idaho’s employers of $414 million on absences and employee turnover as a result of childcare breakdowns.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today released a report examining the impact of childcare issues on Mississippi’s state economy. The study found that Mississippi loses an estimated $673 million annually for the state’s economy. This number includes an estimated $120 million annual loss in tax revenue as well as an estimated annual loss to Mississippi employers of $553 million on absences and employee turnover as a result of childcare breakdowns.
