When discussing Chattanooga 2.0, a new strategy to increase student success in school and train students for technical jobs after graduation, Hamilton County School Board member Rhonda Thurman said, “We are the problem.”
Ms. Thurman was referring to the Hamilton County School Board at Thursday afternoon’s work session, during which a three-person panel of local leaders presented the importance of developing and implementing Chattanooga 2.0.
Hamilton County schools have had low test scores in math, literacy, and standardized tests in comparison with the rest of the state.
The schools have also struggled with graduates who aren’t skilled to work in high-tech jobs.
To resolve this, local leaders recently launched a plan to improve school performance and prepare graduates on technical skills to help them get jobs in the growing high-tech industry.
Speaking on the panel in support of the program, Supt. Rick Smith said Chattanooga 2.0 is a conversation starter that asks difficult questions and addresses specific challenges with the goal to create a plan that will deliver positive results.
The framework of focus for this strategy revolves around early childhood development, K-12 success, and post-secondary degrees to better place people in the workforce.
According to the 40-page report released for Chattanooga 2.0, Chattanooga/Hamilton County has had higher job growth over the last five years than the rest of the state. However, local residents haven’t been qualified for an estimated 15,000 jobs in Hamilton County due to their untrained skillset and lack of education.
Bill Kilbride, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Chamber, said Chattanooga/Hamilton County residents hold 56 percent of city jobs. The remaining 44 percent commute from outside the county.
The issue isn’t that companies in Chattanooga can’t offer employment, it’s that they can’t find competent city employees to fill the open positions, Mr. Kilbride said.
Dr. Jared Bigham, director of Tennessee SCORE, stated 83 percent of jobs with a base salary of $35,000 require post-secondary degrees. Those without post-secondary degrees make an average of $9,100 a year.
One of the goals of Chattanooga 2.0 is to help high school graduates obtain post-secondary degrees, whether from a 2-or 4-year college or from a program that certifies students in special skills within weeks.
B
oard members George Ricks and Dr. Steve Highlander think schools need to emphasize vocational studies starting in middle and high school.
“These kids cannot fathom what they need to do to get a job,” Dr. Highlander said.
But Ms. Thurman put the blame on the board when she said the board created many of the problems the schools are currently facing.
Ms. Thurman said the board has forced kids to take classes - like foreign language and four years of math - that not everyone needs or wants to take.
“Kids can’t go get a vocational education and learn a trade anymore…They are on a single path like they’re going to college.”
Furthermore, kids aren’t required to learn keyboarding today, and the way they’re being taught to read has been reported to Ms. Thurman by a teacher of 40 years as “insane.”
According to Ms. Thurman, the people who could take care of these problems were the ones in the room as she spoke.
Still, after the holiday local leaders and experienced educators are set to take a deep dive into strategies for Chattanooga 2.0.