Educating the Workforce of Tomorrow Fall 2017 | Page 8

According to regional estimates, STEM is the fifth-fastest growing occupational cluster in the South and the
seventh-largest employment sector, with projections of 2.6 million total workers by 2020. [13] STEM jobs are central
to Tennessee’s economic growth, offering high-paying jobs that enable graduates to launch a career and a life. [14]
Early Postsecondary Opportunities
In 2015, Congress replaced the No Child Left Behind
Act with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)–a new
federal law grounded in the work Tennessee has been
leading—giving states more flexibility and responsibility to
improve student achievement. To meet ESSA requirements,
Tennessee developed a plan with input from thousands of
Tennesseans that emphasizes improving student readiness
EPSOs – A Closer Look
EPSOs provide students the opportunity to
earn college credit while in high school,
develop the confidence and skills necessary
for success in postsecondary, and decrease
the time and cost of completing a certificate
of degree. EPSO options include:
for postsecondary education and careers by giving all • Advanced Placement
students more challenging coursework. • College Level Examination Programs
• Dual Enrollment
• Industry Certification
As part of this plan, Tennessee created a Ready Graduate
• International Baccalaureate
indicator for high schools and school districts to assess how
• Local and Statewide Dual Credit
many students are ready for college, the military, or the
workforce. Tennessee’s school and district accountability
Percent of Students Enrolled
in Early Postsecondary
Opportunities, By Income Level
system will include a Ready Graduate indicator.
[15]
Students can achieve what Tennessee has defined as 100%
readiness in a variety of ways. A Tennessee student will be 80%
considered ready for college and career upon graduating 60%
high school within four years and achieving one of the
following:
56%
29%
40%
20%
Medium &
high income
• Scoring a 21 or higher on the ACT
Low income
• Completing four early postsecondary opportunities
(EPSOs), such as earning college credit in high school
Source: Tennessee Department of Education, 2017
• Completing two early postsecondary opportunities and
earning an industry certification
• Completing two early postsecondary opportunities and meeting or exceeding the Armed Services Vocational
Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) or Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT)
EDUCATING THE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW
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Postsecondary And Career Readiness In Tennessee