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Statement from ABOR Chair Lyndel Manson

Background: A coalition of the state’s most prominent business and economic groups – �����Թ� Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Southern �����Թ� Leadership Council; Northern �����Թ� Leadership Alliance and the Greater Phoenix Chamber – commissioned an analysis by Rounds Consulting Group into the linkage between �����Թ�’s lagging rate of educational attainment and our economic output. The result – “” – clearly demonstrates the need for further state investment in postsecondary education and the economic ROI at-stake.

“This vital analysis is a compelling and clear-eyed call to action for additional state investment in postsecondary education and workforce development at a time when evidence suggests �����Թ� is falling behind. If current trends continue, fewer than 17% of today’s 9th graders will have earned a university degree by 2029. During this same time period, the report estimates �����Թ� will annually issue 26,300 fewer bachelor’s degrees than our economy needs.

“Taken together, these troubling statistics are symptomatic of a chronic low rate of educational attainment in �����Թ� that both limits individual upward mobility and is a recipe for future economic stagnation.

“In order to foster and support the vibrant economy �����Թ� seeks, this report demonstrates the need for added investment in postsecondary education and workforce development – as well as the economic risks if �����Թ� continues on its current trajectory.

“This report on ‘Advancing �����Թ�’s Economy’ is essential reading for every state and local policymaker, business official and education leader, and should serve as a wake-up call for �����Թ� to act before it’s too late.”