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Business/Education Partnership Launches State Scholars Initiative

Public/Private Partnership to Emphasize Challenging Coursework for More High School Students;
National Grant Supports Statewide Initiative

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Governor Phil Bredesen, Eastman Chemical Company CEO Brian Ferguson and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education Hans Meeder announced that Tennessee will embark on a public/private initiative Wednesday aimed at strengthening the academic course of study statewide. With this announcement, Tennessee becomes only the fourth state to receive $300,000 from the Center for State Scholars to encourage students to complete courses that prepare them for civilian and military jobs or enrollment in higher education.

Research has demonstrated that rigorous coursework in high school is the surest predictor of college and/or workplace success. Business and education leaders began working together in May to define a new Tennessee Scholars Course of Study solidly grounded in language arts, math, science, and social studies. The Tennessee course of study will emphasize "on level" and above level courses while stressing the importance of attendance, dependability and community mindedness. The committee will endorse a course of study this summer.

"Students who complete a solid academic course of study have currency in the 21st century job market and help Tennessee compete for employers who offer higher paying jobs," said Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board Chairman Lynn Johnson. "Math, science and communication skills are increasingly in demand in our technological society, and global companies also seek employees with the economic, history and language foundation to interact with potential trading partners, customers and workers. Students who fail to acquire these skills in high school miss a crucial window of opportunity."

The Knox County and Sumner County school systems will participate in pilot Scholars initiatives starting this fall. Trained business volunteers will visit eighth grade classrooms in these counties just before students enroll in high school courses. The volunteers will talk about the long-term benefits of completing more challenging academics, including enhanced ability to perform in 21st century jobs. Ultimately, the goal is to implement this advanced course of study statewide.

"We need to do everything we can to guarantee that students leave high school with a strong academic foundation that prepares them for the next chapter in their life - whether that is entering the workforce or seeking higher education. The knowledge and skills they gain today will lead to better jobs, higher pay, and a good quality of life tomorrow," Bredesen said. "Frankly, a large part of our broader economic development strategy relies heavily on improving public education in Tennessee. It's imperative that we work with the business community to determine the skills and knowledge needed to assure a strong workforce moving forward."

"This program is a great example of the power of public/private partnerships. By working together, I'm convinced we can better prepare our students for what's ahead," Commissioner of Education Lana Seivers said. "This program is a simple, low-cost and effective approach to meeting this need."

This is the first time Tennessee businesses have initiated a statewide effort to increase the rigor of secondary school course completion. The regional Appalachian Inter-Mountain (AIM) Scholars Program, supported by Eastman and other businesses in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia, was successful in increasing the number of students completing geometry, Algebra 2, chemistry and physics between 1994 and 2002. In addition, many local businesses give AIM Scholars priority in the application process because of their high school coursework and academic achievement.

"Eastman's Scholars concept grew out of a very real business challenge: the need for qualified workers," said Eastman Chairman and CEO Brian Ferguson, who also serves as chair of the national Center for State Scholars. "We need employees who have fundamental math, science and language skills - plus critical thinking and decision making skills - to operate our plants and help our business prosper. Our focus on education turned into a rare commodity - a win-win-win: A win for us, a win for the community, and a win for the students."

In addition to reaching out to students beginning in the eighth and ninth grades, local business/education partnerships will encourage and recognize Scholars students as they complete high school courses, explore incentives for students, and explore policy avenues to advance high school student achievement.

Joining the Tennessee Chamber in launching Tennessee Scholars are the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce, Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce and Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership, as well as individual businesses in those communities.