Workforce Development Director Sherry Crye reported Thursday 201 students graduated after taking more rigorous courses, including upper-level English, mathematics and science courses, as well as wellness, fine arts, foreign language and career technical education courses. Dual enrollment and online courses also qualify.
Tennessee Scholars is a rewards-and-recognition program coordinated by the Chamber in cooperation with the Bradley County and Cleveland City Schools systems, Tennessee Christian Preparatory School and local businesses to give students an edge with college and industry recruiters.
In addition to rigorous courses, students must maintain a "C" average, have 95-percent attendance over four years, complete 20 hours of community service and have no out-of-school suspensions.
Crye said statistics indicate that students who complete a more rigorous course of study in high school are more successful in college and the workforce and the program has steadily grown as students and their parents realize the benefits of participating in the program.
The program was initiated in 2004 in Bradley County Schools. TCPS, a private Christian School, joined the program in 2008.
Crye reported the Education/Workforce Development committee is taking the summer off and will meet again in August.
Also, five teachers participating in the annual Teachers Academy have been placed in Cleveland Utilities, Eaton Electrical, Lonza and Olin Chemical. The program is designed to establish stronger partnerships between business and education to help educators identify and incorporate necessary skill training and understanding of business/workforce realities into school curricula.
A stipend of $2,000 is paid to participating teachers by their respective business.
