Massachusetts is troubled by two stubbornly persistent shortages of opportunities for our urban youth, and workers for our rapidly growing health, life sciences, and clean energy industries. Data show our tech boom is leaving too many groups behind. While 23% of Massachusetts is Black or Latino, they make up just 12% of tech sector workers, according to the Mass Technology Leadership Council. We have the chance to close both of these gaps at the same time – but only if we act boldly and creatively to bolster student learning and improve economic opportunity.

Across Boston, our equity gaps certainly are not limited to one sector or to one cause. A 2015 study famously showed the net household wealth of a group of non-immigrant Black families in Boston to be just $8, compared to $247,500 for white families. How can we possibly close such a broad divide?

We can begin by ensuring greater success for all our students with the goal of diversifying the workforce and increasing access to high-paying, reliable careers in high-demand industries. That can only happen with improved student-to-workforce transition and making sure that all of our high school students have the same opportunities to participate in meaningful college and career pathway programs.

Our schools work diligently to connect students with a diploma, but in today’s competitive and demanding workforce environment, we must do more to give them job-ready skills that can link them with the careers of the future. In Roxbury, and throughout all low income and communities of color across the Commonwealth, we need to expand our educational goals to include connecting students directly with careers. By combining a rigorous curriculum with high expectations, we can meet our education and workforce goals while improving equity and promoting economic justice.

That’s why I have gladly joined with state Sen. John Cronin of Fitchburg and Leominster to introduce An Act to Create and Expand Student Pathways to Success (HD.1568/SD.2172). This legislation reimagines our economic development engine, aligning what students are learning with the incredible opportunities available to today’s workforce. Investing in career-focused learning is critical to ensuring the success of our next generation of workers and the businesses that depend on their smarts, skills, and creativity.

Here’s how our bill would do it:

•Here in Massachusetts and around the country, there are programs that are proven to put students on a path to college and rewarding careers – we just need to give more students the opportunity to access those programs. Seven Boston high schools have Early College programs that give students a jump start on earning college credits aligned with careers in health care, advanced manufacturing, and computer science to name just a few. These programs target students who don’t necessarily think of themselves as college material and provide supports that are needed to earn credits at no cost to them. Our legislation would grow Early College and other career connected programs as well as expand access to strong college and career advising so students understand their options and the steps they need to take to pursue their dreams.
•Our high school students should have opportunities to earn industry recognized career credentials. This bill, as proposed, would create new financial incentives to help more schools offer that life changing opportunity.

•To make sure these opportunities reach students of all backgrounds and in every corner of our Commonwealth, we’d require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to conduct a study aimed at removing the barriers to work-based learning experiences for students and take steps to create more internships and apprenticeships.

These kinds of innovative supports can help all students succeed, giving students in cities like Springfield, Worcester, or here in Roxbury the same opportunities that exist elsewhere.

This bill is a critical step in broader efforts to close wage, wealth, and opportunity gaps, giving our young people more pathways to economic opportunity. By investing in—and then strenuously evaluating—innovative ideas and programs, we can make sure that today’s students all have an opportunity to succeed and to have Massachusetts schools continue to lead the nation.

Massachusetts state Rep. Chynah Tyler (D-Roxbury) is vice chair of the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee and former chairwoman of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Caucus.