By JACK SCOTT and BILL HAUCK
In his new book, “Immigrants and Boomers,” University of Southern California professor Dowell Myers makes a case for a new social contract for the future of California and America. He concludes, “The crux of the problem is that forecasts of employment growth indicate rising demand for more highly educated workers, but demographic trends are working in the opposite direction Only by elevating the educational level of the newest generation entering the workforce can the collision between demographic change and the economy be avoided.”
Let’s consider how these two trends economic change and demographic change impact Los Angeles. Nowhere in California will the convergence of these factors be felt more strongly than here in the metropolitan Los Angeles region.
Some of the largest sectors of the Los Angeles economy, including international trade, tourism, motion picture and TV production, technology and financial services require strong technical and educational training. In an increasingly globalized economy, the critical competitive edge for Los Angeles industries will depend upon the educational attainment of the region’s population.
Beyond these largest industries, some other key growing sectors will have high educational demands. The health care industry, which is already feeling shortages for nurses and allied health professionals, will only face increased demand as the baby boomers age and need greater care. Notably, a recent study by the California Business Roundtable found that health care is the number one sector projected to require associate degrees and other postsecondary degrees.
Demographically, Los Angeles is at the leading edge of California’s population change, with the children of immigrants comprising the future population of the region. Latinos make up almost half of Los Angeles County’s population today Unfortunately, they also have the lowest college-going rate of any ethnic group.
The Los Angeles population is also affected by large concentrations of poverty. Five hundred thousand middle and high school students in Los Angeles County are poor enough to qualify for a free or reduced price lunch, meaning their family income is below $38,000 for a family of four. Many of these students despair of going to college due to their belief that they can’t afford it.
We need the kind of commitment California had in the past. To provide educational opportunities for the baby boom generation, California leaders adopted the Master Plan for Higher Education in 1960. Through the Master Plan, California committed a spot in community college or university for any California resident who prepared and sought the opportunity.
One part of today’s solution to prepare this future workforce is SB 890, the Early Commitment to College Act, which we have sponsored with support by a bipartisan group of legislators and broad base of supporters. SB 890 renews the commitment of the Master Plan for Higher Education, and for the first time, makes it directly to students at a young age.
It creates the “Save Me a Spot in College Pledge,” to be signed by low-income students and their parents in middle school agreeing to finish high school, take career technical and other college prep classes, achieve proficiency in English and math, and apply to college and financial aid programs. The state in turn will guarantee them a spot in community college or university, and provide financial aid for students who need it. The state’s college opportunities and large financial aid programs will be available, not just while a student is in college, but during the student’s middle school and high school years as a source for hope and motivation.
SB 890 has passed the State Senate and is pending in the State Assembly.
Making an early commitment to college for Los Angeles youth will provide much-needed motivation for our young people to finish high school, achieve academically, and pursue their education to prepare for the careers of the future.
It is good for the student and good for the California economy.
State Sen. Jack Scott (D-Pasadena) chairs the Senate Education Committee. Bill Hauck is the president of the California Business Roundtable and chairman of the Campaign for College Opportunity.
