Dear Partners in Education,

Public education must take the helm to prepare all students for success in the 21st Century. But public education cannot do it alone. Preparing students for graduation and beyond is no longer just a high school issue; it’s a community issue and an economic issue. Particularly in the Inland Empire, the region will not realize its fullest potential without a better-educated workforce.

The ability to graduate students prepared for higher education with higher-level work-based skills and also for hi-tech careers is key to economic prosperity and quality of life for our residents. We must ensure that our high school students receive relevant education and training preparation for entry into universities and colleges, as well as entry into the 21st Century job market.

Area business, industry and labor leaders have recognized this and have called upon other leaders to join with us to align resources and expand innovative education-business partnership programs that prepare students for post-secondary education and career opportunities.

Randall Lewis, executive vice president for the Lewis Group of Companies, and Larry Sharp, president and CEO of Arrowhead Credit Union, took the lead with us in issuing a “Call to Partnership” to the region’s business leaders. Sharp and Lewis have been long-time supporters in the school-business partnership arena.
Since this call, over 700 individuals representing business, labor, local government, community-based and faith-based organizations and education have formed an “Alliance for Education” aimed at the improvement of our schools and the preparation of our workforce.

The commitment of the Alliance is strong because of the participants strong belief in our students and a combined vision for the future. This innovative partnership demonstrates the work that can be accomplished when everyone can see and believe that we all benefit from a skilled and educated workforce.
Imagine if you will—education, business, industry and labor aligning resources on behalf of life-long student learning, resulting in a countywide business-education partnership that has the potential to change the character of our region for the current generation and future generations to come.

Education, business and the entire community as a whole benefit when our students benefit. I call upon others to partner with us. Together we can provide our youth with the foundation, knowledge and skills to become successful, contributing members of our diverse 21st Century society.

Sincerely,

Herbert R. Fischer, Ph.D.
County Superintendent