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Once again, Missouri cuts funding for education.
#mogov #moleg
https://www.newstribune.com/news/missouri/story/2020/jun/30/missouri-announces-448m-state-budget-restrictions/832686/
#mogov #moleg
https://www.newstribune.com/news/missouri/story/2020/jun/30/missouri-announces-448m-state-budget-restrictions/832686/
In January 2018, Mission: Readiness sent Missouri legislators a letter stating that 71% of our youth are not eligible for military service. The causes are:
Education
Obesity
Criminal records
Drug abuse
http://kidswinmissouri.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Mission-Readiness-Missouri-Quality-Letter.pdf?x76884
EducationObesityCriminal recordsDrug abusehttp://kidswinmissouri.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Mission-Readiness-Missouri-Quality-Letter.pdf?x76884
In 2019, Pennsylvania's chapter of Mission: Readiness published a report on the investments needed to improve readiness.
https://strongnation.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/997/7a17a87e-1424-4d10-b88b-f03ab34408cb.pdf
https://strongnation.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/997/7a17a87e-1424-4d10-b88b-f03ab34408cb.pdf
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry released a report in 2018 which states that the leading concern of MO employers is the availability of a qualified workforce. http://mochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Workforce2030.pdf
"Employers are also concerned about the lack of employee soft skills, meaning that employees fail to understand or meet workplace expectations regarding dependability, honesty, professional behavior and communication."
In 2018, legislators passed several bills to improve workforce development.
https://www.kansascity.com/article211834059.html
https://www.kansascity.com/article211834059.html
In 2019, the state created a new workforce grant program "for adults pursuing a certificate, bachelorās degree or an industry-recognized credential in a high demand field." https://www.missourinet.com/2019/08/26/what-you-need-to-know-about-missouris-new-fast-track-workforce-grant-program/
In 2020, the number of programs eligible for 'Fast Track' grants was expanded. https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/education/2020/03/06/missouri-jobs-expands-programs-fast-track-grant/4974505002/
Also in 2020, the governor signed the License Reciprocity for Military Spouses bill which will remove barriers that impede military spouse licensure to allow them to practice their occupation as long as they hold a valid current license issued by another state.
A November 2019 issue of Site Selectors indicates that Workforce Skills is the most important criteria in business location - recruiting and retaining business/industry to a state. In 2019, MO was tied w/ KY at 14th in State Business Climate Rankings. https://siteselection.com/issues/2019/nov/business-climate-rankings-seven-straight-georgia-sets-a-record.cfm#gsc.tab=0
#moleg and #mogov continue to underfund public education including not paying teachers sufficiently. The # 1 reason that teachers leave the profession is pay. Retaining teachers who are educating our future workforce is essential for improving our economy
https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/CriticalNeedsFlexibilityMay2019.pdf
https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/CriticalNeedsFlexibilityMay2019.pdf
Missouri teachers get paid less on average than those in eight neighboring states. https://www.businessinsider.com/worst-us-states-to-be-a-teacher
