EDUCATION 'Continued Learning' bill passes Senate

A 'partnership' would make recommendations for improving education in the state.
COLUMBUS -- A state committee would be formed to explore ways of collaborating among all levels of schooling to identify ways to better serve employers' work force needs, under a bill the Ohio Senate has approved.
Under the measure, which passed the Senate 31 to 1 Tuesday, the "Partnership for Continued Learning" would be formed to make recommendations on improving Ohio's work force by encouraging educators from preschool, primary, secondary and post-secondary levels to work together on work force development.
"The time has come to collaborate for the benefit of all students," said state Sen. Joy A. Padgett, a Coshocton Republican and the bill's sponsor.
Republican Gov. Bob Taft called for creation of the partnership during his State of the State address earlier this year.
Under the measure, the state group would be chaired by the governor and made up of representatives of all levels of education and other officials.
Supporting collaboration
The partnership would be responsible for supporting regional efforts of collaboration among educators and would work to identify the work force needs of employers, under the measure.
The partnership would make recommendations addressing the expansion of access to preschool and other education for children under the age of five as well as increasing opportunities for high school students to earn college credit.
The partnership would also work to develop strategies to retain Ohio graduates in the state work force as well as attracting graduates from other states to work in Ohio, supporters of the bill say.
The bill now moves to the Ohio House of Representatives for consideration.