Boise – The Qwest Foundation has given the Idaho State Board of Education $25,000 to assist its efforts to better align high school graduation requirements with work force and college expectations.
“As one of Idaho’s largest employers, Qwest is dedicated to the education of Idahoans,” said Jim Schmit, Qwest’s president for Idaho. “We are pleased to contribute to the State Board’s efforts to better define what preparation students need to be successful in the workforce.”
The $25,000 grant will be used to fund Alignment Institutes where the State Board of Education along with representatives from the Idaho Department of Education, Idaho colleges and universities and employers create minimum workforce standards. These standards will guide schools and employers as to basic skills employees need for success.
“The State Board of Education is very grateful for Qwest’s generous support for education efforts in Idaho,” said State Board of Education Executive Director Dwight Johnson. “When educators, the business community and policy makers work together, Idaho students are the beneficiaries.”
The Qwest Foundation awards grants to programs that generate high-impact and measurable results, focusing on K-12 education and economic development.