The State of Education and Youth Preparedness in the Valley
Great Valley Center

What is the state of education and youth in the Central Valley?  In a just-released annual report, the Great Valley Center (GVC) looks at the indicators, analyzes them, and makes recommendations.

Lila McIver, Research and Communications Specialist with the GVC, says the report found our population is rapidly growing, rapidly changing, young, and poor.  Our outlook is “not great…kids are struggling in the Valley.”  But, she says, the report looks at ways to change that outlook, recommending that we invest in early childhood education, create links from preschool through post-secondary education, capitalize on the momentum surrounding the high school dropout issue, reduce poverty, and learn more about the needs of rural communities.

Two things, McIver says, are crucial.  First, read the report, which can be found at www.greatvalley.org.  And second, spread the word; let others know about it, particularly those who are in a position to help with resources.

Ken Meier, Vice President of Student Learning and Economic Development at Butte College, painted a shocking picture of our youth.  He quoted the statistic that 70% do not read above the 8th grade level and, he said, the real security issue in our country is “not how many tanks, not how many planes, not how many troops in the field,” but education.

The single most important factor, says Meier, is starting young providing early head start to every preschooler in the country.  Crucial to success, too, are that the mother has completed high school and the child has taken Algebra II.

California’s community college system is one of the largest education systems in the world but, Meier says, it is also one of the most underfunded.  Community college is an open access system and is often the “only hope” for some young people.  With the right interventions and the right support, many students who do not have skills that will get them a decent job when they enter community college can succeed upon graduation.