BHEF Hosts Jeb Bush, Adrian Fenty

Education reformers address BHEF members about the need for the business community to lead education improvement efforts

Washington, DC (February 24, 2011) — Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and former Washington, DC, Mayor Adrian Fenty called on the business community—a portion of which make up the Business-Higher Education Forum’s (BHEF) membership—and policymakers to lead education improvement efforts in this country that will provide the necessary innovation workforce.

The two men made their appeal during BHEF’s recent winter member meeting, which they both attended to discuss their cutting-edge efforts while in office to reform the education system, and their continued crusade to bring about systemic reforms around the country with the assistance of the business community and other civic leaders.

“The business community needs to step up and show leadership in education reform that will in turn serve to create the jobs necessary to keeping America economically competitive,” said Bush, who kicked off the meeting in a room overflowing with BHEF members and guests interested in hearing the potential future presidential contender discuss his visionary reform efforts, which took place during his tenure as the 43rd governor of a state whose education system was in complete disarray and failing its students.

Fenty echoed Bush’s call in his moderated dialogue with BHEF members, saying that all he accomplished while mayor “would not have happened if it were not for the buy-in from the business community.”

“The call by these two leaders that the business community and policymakers come together to lead reform efforts is right on target,” says BHEF Executive Director Brian K. Fitzgerald. “The demands of the global economy have fundamentally transformed corporations and increased the competitive challenges facing U.S. businesses, the economy, and the workforce. Yet, in the face of these challenges, too many Americans remain complacent, mistakenly believing that their schools and skills are world-class and that their future career prospects are bright. This mindset stands in stark contrast to reality, as relatively few students are adequately prepared for college and the workplace, and even fewer are interested in high-demand fields that fuel the innovation economy.”

“Our mission at BHEF is to address issues fundamental to our global competitiveness. Only by addressing the misalignment between our education system and the workforce, and focusing especially on high-demand fields, will we be able to develop and maintain the 21st century employees needed by our corporations,” he adds.