Five years in, education collaboration Chattanooga 2.0 has pulled in scores of industry leaders, parents, administrators and community members alike to accomplish one main objective – to find equitable solutions to support local students from cradle to career.
And in 2021, as Executive Director Molly Blankenship looks back, positive strides have been made in student academic growth, early literacy programs and graduation rates.
But she said the work is in no way done.
The organization will continue to strive to meet equity goals across diverse demographics, preparing students for post-secondary completion and equipping the market and students to allow for thriving wages.
“We’ve come a long way and there’s a tremendous amount of work to be proud of and to celebrate,” Blankenship said. “But given the challenges and opportunities that are ahead, and also taking into account the context that 2020 created, impacts of COVID-19, impacts of a nationwide reckoning with racial justice, we know that our work today is more important and more urgent than ever before.”