Business and industry depend on the public education system to produce a reliable and competent work force. Educators are finding that they cannot address the needs of students all by themselves. Active commitment to work together by educators, parents, business people and others from throughout the community is the logical answer to this dilemma. Think about using a pilot program at one or two schools to test your ideas for the best type of partnerships for your school district. Choose schools that want to partner with a community group or business and involve staff at that school in the planning.
Awareness is the first step in any communications program.
People in schools and the business community need to begin thinking about partnerships and the possibilities. As with any communications program, awareness is the first step toward getting action. Informing people in the schools and businesses that you are considering a partnership program opens the door for discussion. It is important to deliver the message many times and in many ways. Communications research shows it takes delivering a message at least seven different ways and seven times in order for most people to hear it and take advantage of it.