More Info
For more information on how to join and help lead this effort visit chatt2.org
In their words
› “This is a burning bridge moment … I think people realize this is almost a do-or-die moment for this community around access to opportunities.”— Jared Bigham, coordinator of Chattanooga 2.0› “We have an early childhood education desert in our community.” — Lesley Scearce, CEO of the United Way of Greater Chattanooga› “We cannot operate in a vacuum, so we need help … We are already doing some good work and we are wanting to get better.” — Kirk Kelly, interim superintendent of Hamilton County Schools› “[Chattanooga 2.0] is really reimagining what education should look like and what it could be like for our kids … The strategies that are in place really reflect that, and as a whole this is about reimagining that infrastructure of opportunity.” — Keri Randolph, director of innovation for Hamilton County Schools› “We know we have to move that 43 percent [literacy rate in grades 3-8] to 80 percent, and we are going to stay awake at night until we do.” — Jill Levine, chief academic officer of Hamilton County Schools› “What excites us the most about Chattanooga 2.0 is the big bold goal of having 75 percent [of adults with a post-secondary degree or credential] … We want to help more students walk across that graduation stage.”— Nancy Patterson, a vice president at Chattanooga State Community College› “We also need to have some success right now for the kids we have right now.” — Sarah Morgan, president of the Benwood Foundation
By the numbers
› More than 170 people are a part of Chattanooga 2.0’s various leadership teams› 1,500 educators responded to the Hamilton County Schools survey› Multiple student-led panels and focus groups were held with students attending Hamilton County Schools, UTC, and Chattanooga State programs› 20 parent focus groups were held› 200 people responded to a Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce survey› More than 1,000 attendees came to various 2.0 community forums and speaker series› Dozens of interviews were conducted with local leaders and policy makersSource: Chattanooga 2.0
Providing all Hamilton County residents access to economic opportunity, regardless of ZIP code, is weighty work.
But a group of business and nonprofit leaders, educators and other members of the community have set a goal of doubling the number of residents with a post-secondary education within the next decade. That goal – along with 10 strategies for reaching it – is outlined in a plan released today by Chattanooga 2.0 that starts at birth, carries through k-12 and leads to a job.