Bridging the Gap between Business and Education: Reconciling Expectations for Student Achievement. Critical Issues in Student Achievement Paper Number 4.

Schools are forging linkages with noneducational organizations and agencies to address the needs of all students, particularly those who are most vulnerable to the southwest region's economic and social upheaval. This paper attempts to present an overview of the interrelationship between two elements of the community at large--business and education. It explores the changes in expectations for student achievement within the context of the community within which the educational and private sectors coexist. It begins with a general framework of community context for education, followed by a detailed review of the business community's expectations for student achievement and the current mismatch of expectations between private enterprise and education. Finally, the paper highlights evolving business-education partnerships that appear to bridge the gap. Appended is an outline of a model program--Texas Communities in Schools. (51 references) (RR)