84% of Employers Say Schools Need Change

Voters Support Common Core and Aligned Assessments

March 17, 2014

Future Ready Massachusetts

March 23, 2014

March 22, 2014

Last fall, as we embarked on our New Opportunity to Lead Campaign our partners at Associated Industries of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and asked MassINC Polling Group to conduct a statewide survey of employers to gauge their concerns and opinion of school and student performance relative to their workforce needs.

The employer opinion research project, conducted by MassINC Polling Group, included an online poll of Massachusetts businesses, three focus groups of senior business executives and interviews with a select group of prominent Massachusetts CEOs. The results showed a high level of concern over schools’ performance in preparing students for care

The MassINC Polling Group research found that 84 percent of businesses said the state’s schools need moderate (52%) or major (32%) changes. Only 20 percent gave the K-12 school system an A or B in preparing students for the job market. 69% reported difficulty finding employees with the skills needed for jobs employers are trying to fill. Among the poll findings are the following:

•Most are having trouble hiring the workers they need, and see the need for change in the public education system

•Schools are doing okay at what they are asked to do, but there is a disconnect between the education system and preparation for the workforce

•Students come to workforce without the applied skills, STEM knowledge they need

•Business leaders want closer partnerships, seek to bridge the perceived disconnect between the education and the job market

“As our survey data showed, if we are going to achieve our goals in science, technology, engineering and math fields, business and education must work together to address the needs of employers, students and teachers,” said JD Chesloff, executive director of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and a member of the MBAE Board.