Chamber Promotes Business Involvement in Education

Invited to Speak before Joint Session of Oklahoma Education Committees

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Arthur Rothkopf testified today before a joint meeting of the Oklahoma House and Senate Education Committees on the Chamber's efforts to encourage accountability and results in K-12 education. This effort was launched in February with Leaders and Laggards, an education report card for each of the 50 states compiled with the Center for American Progress headed by John Podesta, and Frederick M. Hess of the American Enterprise Institute.

"For too long the business community has been willing to leave education to educators and politicians," said Rothkopf. "Not anymore. This report illustrates that education is a matter of critical national urgency. What's at stake is nothing less than the continued success and competitiveness of the American economy—and the continued viability of the American Dream."

This report differs from previous efforts through its emphasis on coupling a focus on academic outcomes with attention to key business metrics: innovation, flexibility, management, and fiscal prudence. The Chamber's goal is to spur policymakers, the business community and the general public to action implementing policies which will lead to increased student achievement and more young people prepared for postsecondary education and the workforce.

"All states have ample room to improve. If they do not, the consequences will be dire. The result will be more failing schools, broken dreams for children, and the gradual decline of America as an economic and technological superpower," said Rothkopf. "The quality of the education system and the ability of any community, state or for that matter the nation, to prosper and create jobs are inextricably linked."

On Wednesday, May 9 Rothkopf will take his message to the "National Summit on America's Silent Epidemic" in Washington, D.C. This landmark summit is being spearheaded by Civic Enterprises, the National Governors Association (NGA), MTV, TIME, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He will participate in a panel discussion with other education leaders on taking action to improve America's dropout crisis in schools.

The U.S Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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