The Arizona business community is vital to creating the "education revolution" the state needs to prepare students for careers in the fast-paced world of tomorrow, the president of Arizona State University said recently.

Michael Crow spoke during a Phoenix Chamber of Commerce meeting and was joined by Maria Harper-Marinick, chancellor of the Maricopa County Community College District. The meeting was meant to give the educators a chance to discuss the ways business people and elected officials can become more active in helping higher education students prepare for career success. 

Crow said he “believes firmly that no less than an education revolution is needed in Arizona high schools to prepare students.” He said the main problems with the state's education system are errors in educational designs, invalid thinking and staid models -- like the notion that there are some kids who can't learn math.

He said the issues can be fixed only by understanding that education is linked to the economy. Success in one can correspond to success in the other, he said.

Harper-Marinick wanted to make sure people know that community colleges -- specifically Maricopa County Community College -- provide education access to everyone seeking it. She said the community college system teams with businesses to help students find success in many ways, from technical training to transfers to universities to moving up in a career.