SPEAKERS PROGRAM
• The Speakers Program , designed to provide early career exposure to middle grade students , included 50 speakers during the year and reached over 2600 students . Collaborations with middle schools and area business professionals make this program highly successful .
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TN SCHOLARS PROGRAM
BOB LUNA , CHAIR
• The Tennessee Scholars Program encourages 8th grade students to enter high school with the goal of becoming a TN Scholar thereby allowing for better college and career preparedness . Students must maintain a “ C ” average or above , complete 80 hours of community service , have 95 % attendance rate , and have no out of school suspensions . The numbers of scholars increased by 22 % in the 2015-2016 school year . The Highland Economic Partnership provides 8th grade and 9th grade students ; and provides the TN Scholars medallions and a TN Scholar diploma seal for successful high school seniors meeting all requirements .
PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY PROGRAM
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PATHWAYS ; ADAM BERNHARDT AND BECKY HULL , CO-CHAIRS .
HEALTH SCIENCE PATHWAYS ; KAREN WEAVER AND MYRA WEST , CO-CHAIRS
• The goal of this program , launched by Harvard ’ s Graduate School of Education and Jobs for the Future , is to improve the education attainment level and job readiness of the future workforce by enhancing training , education , skill development and providing students with work based learning opportunities . The program entered its 4th year with Advanced Manufacturing and Health Science Pathways generating a growing pipeline of students being prepared for careers in these sectors . Advanced manufacturing pathways was introduced to approximately 1700 7th grade students through career awareness initiatives and career exposure modules . Academic and career awareness expanded with 1700 8th grade students prior to their high school program of study selection . Mechatronics programs launched in 5 high schools in January 2016 . The pipeline of students in the spring semester totaled 112 and grew to 251 students in the fall semester 2016 , a 124 % increase .
UPPER CUMBERLAND TENNESSEE RECONNECT
TOM BREWER , CHAIR
• Upper Cumberland Reconnect Community ( UCTRC ) launched in March , 2016 with a goal to reach 400 adults with some college but no degree and to grow a high quality workforce pipeline . By the end of 2016 , UCTRC advisors served over 770 adults , 109 adults were enrolled in post-secondary education , and the first Reconnector graduated in December . Continued partnerships with businesses and communities ensured the development of our citizens who would be enrolling in 2017 .