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There was good news for state employers Monday as the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education unveiled a three-year plan to double the number of high school graduates who are college- and/or workforce-ready, by working with local school districts, businesses and concerned organizations.

The group has also embarked on a $4.5 million fundraising drive to help implement the plan, with commitments already made by some top employers in the state, such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Verizon.

MBRT took the occasion of its 17th annual meeting at the Center Club in downtown Baltimore to announce its new strategic plan for enhancing education statewide, with the plan calling in particular for a significant expansion of the nonprofit's Maryland Scholars program. The organization piloted the program in Harford and Frederick counties and MBRT officials said it has proven to be "highly effective in increasing the number of students completing rigorous course work in math, science, and foreign language, particularly among low-income and minority students."

"Far too many students have a limited vision of career options, limited information about academic steps needed to succeed beyond high school, and a limited understanding that their decisions and actions now impact their future options," June Streckfus, executive director, said in a statement. "Clearly, this must change if Maryland is to compete in the global economy."

Streckfus said Monday that studies indicate one-third of students drop out before completing high school, one-third complete high school but not with the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in college or the workforce, and one-third do complete high school with the necessary skills to succeed.

"Our goal is to double that, so that two-thirds are graduating with the prerequisite courses to be successful in work and in college," Streckfus said.

The new plan advocates the following:

ïDemanding high standards and creating an environment where students are motivated to achieve at high levels and rewarded for challenging themselves academically;

ïBuilding partnerships, aligning efforts and resources, and mobilizing a broad base of businesses, organizations, educators, parents and individuals to support and guide student decisions; and

ïTransforming technology that will allow MBRT to communicate more effectively with more people; provide tools for educators, partners and advocates; and reach students with real-world experiences that will inspire action on their part.

Streckfus said thousands of jobs are anticipated in the state in fields such as telecommunications, information technology, engineering, health care, bioscience and linguistics, and demand to fill these types of jobs "significantly raises the already-high stakes for Maryland to excel in the knowledge economy."

The new plan notes that in 2008 alone, more than 21,000 students did not graduate from Maryland's high schools, representing $5.6 billion in lost lifetime earnings. Research indicates that to be college- and work-ready, students must complete higher-level math and science courses.

"Clearly, we stand at a crossroads," said James F. Pitts, the group's chairman and president of Northrop Grumman's Electronic Sensors and Systems unit. "The state Board of Education has upheld the decision to move forward with graduation requirements in Maryland in 2009. This means that the class of 2009 must pass end-of-course tests in algebra 1, English 2, biology and government in order to graduate or must complete a project that verifies competency in those subjects. We must provide every support possible to help students meet and exceed these standards."

To help assure that Maryland students are able to not only pass those tests, but also achieve at high levels, the plan calls on MBRT to expand its role as a service provider affecting educational outcomes and workforce readiness. Specifically, MBRT plans to do the following:

ïStrengthen and expand its speakers bureau, through which 3,000 volunteers are reaching 80,000 students in person annually;

ïInfluence educators to identify and share effective experiences for students who are furthest from meeting the standards;

ïIdentify and incorporate the best new methods for engaging and motivating students; and

ïExpand its teen-focused career exploration Web site — www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com — to include high-growth industries, as well as more interaction and virtual world experiences.

The plan also calls on MBRT to continue playing a role in influencing policies and practices affecting education. In addition, MBRT will expand its partnerships and build new ones to accelerate the number of students prepared for success in college and/or the workplace. To that end, MBRT will seek to ensure that all students completing the Maryland Scholars course of rigorous work in math, science, and foreign language are recognized in each school district statewide.

Streckfus said of the fundraising goal, "We have a target of $4.5 million, but included in that will be some in-kind help, and help from corporations to donate technology, hardware and software." She said one project on the drawing board that corporations, including Cisco and Microsoft, are committed to help with is the establishment of a virtual workplace online, as part of MBRT's existing site.

"Several companies have already agreed to help make this product real by next year or early 2010, to make it so students can see what a real work site is … it's something that will be highly interactive for kids," she said. The group's Web site is already used by 77,000 students in Maryland, and by users from other states and around the world, including in India and China.

Founded in 1992, MBRT is a coalition of more than 100 leading employers that have made a long-term commitment to support education reform and improve student achievement in Maryland, according to the organization.