WHEREAS, South Carolina businesses and industries are increasingly concerned by the disparity between our workforce needs and the supply of qualified high school graduates; and

WHEREAS, the Skills That Work 1998 survey indicate that the greatest challenge facing companies is the "availability of a prepared workforce"; and

WHEREAS, many high school graduates need remedial help to succeed in post-secondary educational programs; and

WHEREAS, State policy should be reevaluated to ensure support for better preparation of high school graduates to meet the needs of the workplace.

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby establish the Workforce Education Task Force (hereinafter referred to as "the Task Force"), that shall have the following responsibilities:

  a.  To conduct an assessment of:

1. current workforce education initiatives;
2. the "best practices" in workforce education in South Carolina and in the nation;
3. workforce demands;
4. activities provided in schools that contribute to meeting workforce needs;
5. educational barriers that deter transition into the workforce.

  b.  To recommend actions to be               undertaken to better prepare our          students for the workforce or for          post-secondary education.

It is further provided that an interim report shall be submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than November 1, 2000. A final report shall be submitted to the Governor and General Assembly no later than October 1, 2001, at which time the Task Force shall dissolve.

The membership of the Task Force referenced herein will be designated by the Governor within 30 days from the date of this Executive Order.