Chamber Supports Needed Focus on Academic Outcomes for Black Students

The Indiana Chamber backs the overall sentiment conveyed yesterday by the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus that the academic outcomes for Black students must be addressed and improved. The Indiana State Conference of the NAACP put forth an initiative, the Indiana Black Academic Excellence Plan, that rightly says “success is what we should expect for all students.” Read the plan’s press release.

Results from last year’s ILEARN test showed that only 8% of young Black students passed both the math and English portions, compared to 35% of White students. While that last number is discouraging itself, the figure for Black youngsters is very alarming and directly impacts their future job prospects.

Raising up the education level of Black students – and students overall – is a priority of the Indiana Chamber and the business community as it promotes economic opportunity that leads to economic prosperity.

We support the Black Caucus for calling out the achievement differences and calling for the Indiana General Assembly to focus on the matter.  The Indiana Chamber looks forward to seeing recommendations from all parties and hopes to see substantive movement on this front in the next legislative session.

Resource: Kevin Brinegar at (317) 264-6882 or email: kbrinegar@indianachamber.com  

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Employer Involvement Sought for Grant to Help Schools Expand Access to High-Demand Career Pathways Needs

The Indiana Department of Education is now accepting applications for its new Explore, Engage, and Experience Grant. The grant is available for Indiana’s schools and local partners – including employers – as they work to expand students’ access to pathways leading to high-wage, high-demand careers.

The grant focuses on increasing the number of students engaging in work-based learning and earning high-value credentials while in high school, such as the Indiana College Core, an associate degree or a career and technical education certificate. The grant also encourages schools to expand access to career exploration and engagement opportunities for students in elementary and middle school.

To support these goals, schools, nonprofit organizations, education service centers, higher education institutions and employers are encouraged to collaborate on plans to implement locally-driven, strategic career pathways for their students. These plans should identify positive, measurable outcomes for students, including increased access, enrollment and completion of a Next Level Programs of Study, the Indiana College Core or a Graduation Pathway high-value credential.

A total of $25 million is available through this grant to support locally-driven plans. This funding is allocated as part of the state’s federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III plan. Interested applicants can submit their online application here. Applications are due on Friday, May 13.

The Indiana Chamber’s Work and Learn Indiana program, part of the organization’s Institute for Workforce Excellence, is expected to announce a workshop on this grant very soon.

Resource: Jason Bearce at (317) 264-6880 or email: jbearce@indianachamber.com