news-record.com

By MARGARET ARBUCKLE and RICHARD “SKIP” MOORE

There are two realities that our community must face: The competitive global economy is here and students in today’s schools must graduate with the knowledge and skills that prepare them for success in this environment.

Our students’ future jobs will require sophisticated thinking, use of communication technology and problem-solving skills, and advanced levels of knowledge, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Developing key social and emotional skills are also critical to educational success.

To secure a successful future for our community, we must provide a high-quality education from early childhood through higher education. School readiness prepares our children for school success. Excellent education from kindergarten through high school graduation provides their foundation. And career training and/or college provides for entry in the workforce. In other words, our children need support and guidance and teaching from cradle to career so that they and our community can have the future we desire.

Guilford County Schools and parents are first looked to for providing these opportunities.  But we know our children are in school for only a portion of each day. There are many hours during which the larger community can support, nurture and teach our children, resulting in greater success for them in their studies.  To do this requires involvement of the entire community: the early childhood providers, Guilford County Schools, the nonprofit sector, businesses, parents and faith communities, all working together to achieve a successful future.

That’s why Guilford Education Alliance, in partnership with other community organizations — Businesses for Excellence in Education, a program of Action Greensboro, and Guilford County Schools — announced Wednesday an invitation for us to collectively impact the futures of our children.

We invite the entire community to join in making a commitment to the educational success of all children from cradle to career through AchieveGuilford.

AchieveGuilford seeks to promote the alignment of community resources to ensure that students achieve success at each critical point in their education and are prepared for the challenges of postsecondary education and future careers.

With its mission, “Every Child Ready: Cradle to Career,” AchieveGuilford will work collaboratively through existing organizations and programs, all with a united focus on our children entering kindergarten ready for success; reading at grade level by end of third grade; completing Algebra I by end of eighth grade; planning their post-high school experiences with guidance and support through career exploration; and graduating from high school  prepared for the next level of educational opportunity.

Much is said and written about the many challenges we face as a community, state and nation. But we believe that, through the collective impact of us all working together, we can help provide a bright future for every child.

For more information on how you can make a difference in a child’s education, visit AchieveGuilford at www.achieveguilford.org or Guilford Education Alliance at www.guilfordeducationalliance.org.

Margaret Arbuckle is executive director, Guilford Education Alliance, and Richard “Skip” Moore is president, the Weaver Foundation.