LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ new education commissioner says employers across the state are telling him that students need to be learning more life skills in school.

Randy Watson, who will become education commissioner July 1, made his comments Wednesday at a meeting with employers and educators in Lawrence.

Employers at the meeting said students need to learn life skills such as punctuality, work ethic and problem solving along with their academic studies. Watson says it’s clear some changes need to be made in the focus of K-12 education.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports the gathering was the last of several sessions the education department held across Kansas. Input from the sessions will be used as the Kansas Board of Education creates a new strategic plan for K-12 education.