Educating the Workforce of Tomorrow Fall 2017 | Page 3

Tennessee High School Graduates Scoring 21+ On The ACT, By County
To meet and exceed the Drive to 55, Tennessee students must be prepared for postsecondary. The
ACT assessment provides a key measure of student readiness for college. Students who earn a 21
or above on the ACT are better positioned to take on coursework at a two- or four-year college.
Tennessee has set a statewide goal of a 21 average on the ACT by 2020.
Data Source: Tennessee
Department of Education 2016
Less than 32%
32 to 37%
37 to 44%
More than 44%
To achieve the Drive to 55, Tennessee policymakers have The Drive To 55 In Action
made an unprecedented commitment to lower financial Between fall 2014 and fall
barriers and create public awareness for recent high 2016, first time college freshman
school graduates and adults to complete a postsecondary enrollment in Tennessee increased:
credential. Through Tennessee Promise, eligible high
school graduates can obtain a scholarship to attend any
of Tennessee’s 13 community colleges or 27 Colleges
• 13% overall across institutions
of higher education
of Applied Technology (TCATs) tuition-free. Through the • 30% at community colleges
Tennessee Reconnect program, eligible adults can attend • 32% at Colleges of Applied
a community or technical college tuition-free to acquire
the skills needed to be competitive in today’s job market.
Technology
Source: Tennessee Higher
Education Commission, 2017
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