Why the Rise of the Gen X High School Parent Means Growing Demand for CTE :Why the Rise of the Gen X High School Parent Means Growing Demand for CTE Richard K. Delano, Co-founder & Marketing Director publications, CDs, background at www.lifecourse.com NASBE June 5, 2008


Generations: The Cycle of Four Archetypes :Generations: The Cycle of Four Archetypes HERO ARTIST PROPHET NOMAD (G.I.s) (Gen X) (Boomers) (Silent)


Recent American Generations :Recent American Generations GENERATION (BORN) CHILDHOOD ERA COMING-OF-AGEG.I. (1901-1924) World War I Great Depression Roaring 20s World War II SILENT (1925-1942) Great Depression American High World War II BOOM (1943-1960) American High Consciousness Revolution GEN X (1961-1981) Consciousness Culture Wars Revolution ’90s Boom MILLENNIAL (1982- ) Culture Wars ’90s Boom


BOOM Generation :Born 1943-1960 Today age 47 to 64 SAMPLE MEMBERS: BOOM Generation


BOOM GENERATION :BOOM GENERATION Generational Surprise from mid-1960s, Boomers defined entry-level youth, post-silent, risk taking increased Impact on Education 1964 to 1981, “we rejected the system” in an era of social turmoil, youth anger, economic shocks, & worsening educational outcomes – 19 year SAT slide To Boomers, a High School Diploma Is … still necessary, but no longer valued nor sufficient


Slide 9:Generation X Born 1961-1981 Today age 25 to 46 SAMPLE MEMBERS: Michael Dell Michael Jordan Quentin Tarantino Kurt CobainJeff BezosJody Foster


Chronology of the Evil-Child Movie Era :Chronology of the Evil-Child Movie Era 1964 Children of the Damned 1968 Rosemary’s Baby 1973 The Exorcist 1974 It’s Alive! 1976 Look What’s Happened to Rosemary’s Baby 1976 The Omen 1976 Carrie 1977 Exorcist II: The Heretic 1978 It Lives Again 1978 Damien—Omen II 1978 Halloween 1980 The Children 1981 The Final Conflict 1981 Halloween II 1984 Firestarter 1984 Children of the Corn


When Boomers were kids, 2 of every 3 moms said they’d stay in a bad marriage for the sake of the kids. When Gen Xers were kids, 2 of every 3 moms said they wouldn’t. :When Boomers were kids, 2 of every 3 moms said they’d stay in a bad marriage for the sake of the kids. When Gen Xers were kids, 2 of every 3 moms said they wouldn’t.


Washington Post: Headlines from the 1980’sNation at Risk Report :Washington Post: Headlines from the 1980’sNation at Risk Report CHILDREN’S WRITING SKILLS “DEPRESSING” STUDENTS DON’T PROTEST OVER VIETNAM NOW—THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE IT IS STUDENTS COMPREHENSION OF SCIENCECALLED SHALLOW NOT ALL STUDENTS ARE GREEDY


“There is no minimum body of knowledge which it is essential for everyone to know.” -- Roland Barthes :“There is no minimum body of knowledge which it is essential for everyone to know.” -- Roland Barthes


Slide 15:Through the 1980s and ’90s, Gen Xers were constantly told that…. Their schools were failures. Their schools were dangerous. Their teachers were poorly trained. Students were stupid.


GENERATION X :GENERATION X Generational Surprise from mid-1980s, Xers redefined entry-level youth, defied expectations, new pragmatism Impact on Education 1982 to 2002, “we got by without the system” in era of self-reliance and market-driven competition To Gen-Xers, a High School Diploma Is … No longer valued, nor sufficient, nor even necessary


Slide 18:What BoomersSay about Xers Cynical Disloyal Impatient Materialistic Self-Centered Unprepared Disrespectful Uncommitted Shameless… What Xers Say about Boomers Judgmental Impractical Arbitrary Controlling Unfocused Workaholic Political Opinionated Hypocritical… A Closer Look at Gen-Xers in the Workplace


Slide 19:What Gen-Xers Really Believe … I am either a free agent or a slave. Work is a means to an end, not an end in itself. Higher productivity means doing more for less—not doing everything better. What counts is my performance, not my attitude. No sane person trusts the organization. A Closer Look at Gen-Xers in the Workplace


Educational endowments by Gen Xer as adults:School ChoiceAccountabilityDigital Multimedia :Educational endowments by Gen Xer as adults:School ChoiceAccountabilityDigital Multimedia


Gen X Parents Latch-key Child – Stealth-fighter Parent :Gen X Parents Latch-key Child – Stealth-fighter Parent


Slide 23:Silent & Early Boomers Beware! Young boomers and Gen Xers are generations of steeply declining net worth…


Survey & Analysis 2007Boomer to Gen X Parent :Survey & Analysis 2007Boomer to Gen X Parent


from Boomers to Xers in Midlife:the basic trends :from Boomers to Xers in Midlife:the basic trends as parents, more “attached,” protective, & directive of their children as consumers/citizens, less trusting & respectful of institutions (especially colleges) as problem-solvers, more pragmatic, to-the-point, & resourceful as life planners, less optimistic; more wary & calculating


Slide 26:Total amount of debt incurred by child at end of his/her education (actual or expected) Boomer parents, child out of college: $13,600 Boomer parents, child now in college: $18,500 Xer parents, child now in college: $26,600 Will this level of debt affect your child’s career choices? Percent saying “greatly” to “not at all” Boomer parents, child out of college: 14% to 60% Boomer parents, child now in college: 18% to 40% Xer parents, child now in college: 32% to 16% Source: Datatel 2006 College Parent Survey


from Boomers to Xers in Midlife:the new demands on high schools :from Boomers to Xers in Midlife:the new demands on high schools cash value standards / efficacy data transparency accountability real-time results (“Fed Ex” test) hi-tech innovation (distance learning)


Slide 29:Growth in Demand – Reality Check Expect Gen X parents to spend a significant amount of time helping their Millennials focus on career preparation. They know it’s a tough world and there are few dollars available for “academic enrichment.” Listen to an audio book on your commute!


Slide 30:Cluster Demand – Gender and Balance Millennial girls are outpacing boys. Expect boys to gravitate in even greater number to traditional male fields like high-paying public utilities Anticipate increased interest in secure fields like education and public service offering life balance


Slide 31:Structure Demand – Career Academies Both Boomers and Gen Xers favor the smaller learning community. Gen X parents will favor career – themed smaller learning communities. Anticipate that this demand will impact structure at to two- and four-year colleges.


Slide 32:Quality Demand – High-wage/skill Fields Anticipate and prepare for dramatic rise in demand for high quality Career and Technical Education Insure your CTE offerings are centered on high-wage, high-skill, high-demand pathways


Slide 33:Efficiency Demand – Articulation/Remediation Gen X parents will expect to really save money through articulation and dual enrollment, not “maybe” save money They won’t tolerate or be able to afford non-credit courses for their child’s first year at college