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From the Desk of Bill Cirone...
February 25, 2000
Education Provides Greater Earning Power
Americans invest more time and money than ever before in getting an education. And it pays off. Our investment in education translates into better jobs, higher salaries, and increased job security for America’s workers. Educated people also create jobs by developing new ideas, inventions and industries.
In the first place, education increases the likelihood of getting higher paying and professional jobs. Wrote Gerald Bracey, in his “Report on the condition of Education”: “high school graduates earn twice as much as high school dropouts.”
U.S. Census Bureau statistics back up his assertion. The Survey of Income and Program Participation published by the Census Bureau shows that the average monthly earnings of high school dropouts is $495; of high school graduates with no college, $1,077; of vocational degree holders, $1,237; and of professional degree holders, $4,961. This is a tremendous difference when multiplied out over time.
Wrote Marvin Cetron, author of “Schools of the Future”: “I see the payoff of education in getting jobs...Salaries are going to depend on education.”
Clearly, education leads to greater employability and prepares students for the jobs of the future. Education opens doors to better jobs. As our economy continues to change, workers with higher levels of education are more likely to remain employed.
Increasingly, employers want advanced training for highly paid jobs. Not surprisingly, society’s most promising or respected professions and vocations, such as medicine, engineering, education, metal workers and electricians, all require specialized or advanced degrees, according to “How Our Investment in Education Pays Off,” published by the American Association of School Administrators.
High school dropouts and others who have been unable to complete their education are largely frozen out of a large part of our economy.
While the number of low-skill, low-wage jobs has increased, especially in certain parts of the service industry, many of these jobs offer little job security and little chance to advance.
Today, a high school education, with the expectation of more specific training of at least two to three years, is the minimum starting point for a secure, well-paying career.
Said Derek Bok, former president of Harvard University, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”
© Santa Barbara County Education Office
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