[Acknowledgments] On the Road to Economic Development - December 1996
One objective of the National Education Goals states that allworkers will have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge andskills necessary to compete in a global economy. To help meetthis objective, higher education institutions are encouraged todevelop collaborative efforts with businesses to determineworkforce skills needed by those who live and work in thecommunity.
Today, more than ever, as society becomes more technologicallyadvanced, higher education institutions are called upon to meetthe demands for new knowledge and skills, and to upgrade existingskills. Colleges and universities now play key roles in humancapital, technology, and business development, as well as inother areas of economic development. These roles contribute tothe U.S. competitive edge in a global economy as well as to helpsustain state, regional, and local economies.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are partof the mainstream of U.S. higher education. They also haveimportant local and regional economic roles to play in helpingthe Nation meet its educational and workforce trainingobjectives.
The Office of Educational Research and Improvement isconcerned with understanding how HBCUs use their existingcontinuing education resources to enhance their involvement inthe economic development activities in their service areas. Aspart of this effort, the Office seeks to identify individualinstitutions and programs that have the greatest potential toassist in the education and economic advancement of non-degreeand degree-seeking adults in the service areas of HBCUs. Thecontinuing education arena was selected as the primary focus ofthe study because it includes community outreach to learners ofall ages and backgrounds, and offers opportunities to gleanexamples from a wide range of programs.
The study was guided by analyses of local and regionaleconomic development data and by assessment of continuingeducation programs. While all of the HBCUs and their regions andprograms could not be covered in this study, a representativesample of promising practices, strategies, and labor marketcontexts are presented.
This publication shares the results of the analyses andassessments, and offers guidance for institutions planning todevelop or enhance their continuing education roles as a strategyfor improving the economic well-being of institutions and thecommunities they serve. Implications for key stakeholders, suchas businesses, individual consumers, and policymakers areexplored.
This is the first OERI research initiative to respond to thePresident's Executive Order to strengthen the capacity of HBCUsthrough their participation in federally sponsored projects andby encouraging the involvement of the private sector. I hope thatthis guide marks the first step toward building a strongerworkforce - and thus, stronger communities - througheducation-economic development partnerships and collaborationsbetween HBCUs and communities for the benefit of all.
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