The ability of the Golden Triangle to meet the workforce needs of the current expansions and support the success of tomorrow depends on the quality of education today. Recently, economic growth has enabled great strides to be made towards improving the quality of area public schools. In the past several years, several area communities passed historic bond packages worth nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars. In doing this, the Golden Triangle has stood up for public education; it is time for the education system to do the same in return.

Two years ago, the Golden Triangle helped raise statewide awareness to the fact the "4x4" calculation in the state curriculum did not sufficiently provide for career and technical education (CTE) at the high school level. This session, action must be taken to ensure the state curriculum supports the career aspirations of all students and arms them with the tools they need to be a successful, contributing member of the workforce.

The Golden Triangle also provides for those seeking higher education. Lamar University has solidified its place as a global leader in engineering, and the institution's groundbreaking approach to distance education and programs for the deaf and hearing impaired are making waves in their respective fields. Lamar Institute of Technology and the pair of two-year state colleges in Orange and Port Arthur perform acrucial role alongside the four-year university in providing training for tomorrow's workers. There is a strong local educational infrastructure in place, but more can still be done to guarantee graduates at all levels are prepared for successful entrance into the workforce.

For the prosperity of this and future generations, we take the following positions:

- Support legislative actions aimed at promoting academic excellence in public schools with emphasis on math, science, and skills required in modern workplaces.

- Support legislative and administrative actions that promote the mastery of core academic subjects but provide for greater flexibility in the "4x4" calculation. Enable students to explore multiple academic pathways including career and technology education (CTE) as long as those pathways lead to college/career readiness by qualifying for college credit, lead to industry-ecognized credentials, or fulfill a requirement for a state license.

- Support appropriations and special funding items for Lamar University, Lamar State College-Orange, Lamar State College-Port Arthur, and the Lamar Institute of Technology to facilitate their growth.