Tuesday, November 18, 2008

last updated: April 10, 2008 05:39:31 AM

New problems are challenging -- and exciting. Old problems are challenging -- and frustrating and often the hardest to overcome. The latter description fits the poor education level in Stanislaus County, where more than a quarter of the adult population has not graduated from high school. Only 15 percent of Stanislaus adults have a college degree, compared with 29 percent for the state as a whole, according to 2006 census figures.

This low education level is closely linked to other county problems -- poverty, difficulty in attracting new industries and, as noted on the front page of Wednesday's Bee, poor health.

A new effort is being launched to better link learning to living in Stanislaus County. It carries the label E21, as in Education for the 21st Century.

Modesto City Schools and the county office of education have invited business and community leaders to a program Friday with the intent of launching a cooperative effort to produce a better educated population and more skilled work force.

The goal is not new. It's been the nagging concern of the county and the whole San Joaquin Valley for decades. There are a number of individual efforts under way to address it, ranging from the curriculum at specific high schools to organizations such as Stanislaus Partners in Education.

"We have a long history of collaboration between education and business-industry in this county," says Tom Changnon, county superintendent of schools. "We need to focus our efforts and identify measurable objectives in our quest to produce a stronger work force and more educated citizenry."

We like this emphasis -- collaboration, focus and measurable results.

The county doesn't need a lot of new programs; it needs a shared sense of purpose and sustainable momentum.

If we can raise the education level of our county, the payoff will be huge -- for people, families and business and for the overall economy, public health and that elusive thing referred to as quality of life.

E21 will require wide support, commitment from all segments of the community and strong leadership. We hope many people will join.

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Two meetings:

For business and community -- Friday, 3 to 5:30 p.m., Dr. Paul Nussbaum will speak on the connection between educating a healthy brain and maintaining a healthy and vibrant economy at the Martin Petersen Event Center, 720 12th St., Modesto.

For educators -- Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Speakers will be Nussbaum and Professor Lin Kuzmich, talking on the implications of brain research on literacy strategies at Enochs High School, 3201 Sylvan Ave., Modesto.

For more information or to register, www.stancoe.org.

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