Chattanooga 2.0 director Jared Bigham waits to speak to area pastors Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Blue Orleans.If you go:
What: Community engagement session on education When: 4-8 p.m. Monday Where: Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. MLK Boulevard (parking is available) Who: This event is free and open to the public. For more information visit www.chatt2.org
Leaders with the Chattanooga 2.0 initiative are hosting a community open house Monday and inviting people to come discuss how they can become involved in improving education in Hamilton County.
Since the founders of the Chattanooga 2.0 movement released a sobering report in December about the state county schools, people have been working to galvanize support and develop strategic plans to improve public education and workforce development.
Monday's community forum will explore the data presented in the Chattanooga 2.0 report and seek community feedback on early childhood education, K-12 schooling, and college and career readiness solutions.
"Chattanooga has a history of taking action when the need arises – in reimagining our riverfront, creating the Gig City and building the Innovation District," said Jared Bigham, the Chattanooga 2.0 coordinator. "Now is our moment. If the whole community comes together, we can make education our next frontier. We want the community to help us set audacious education goals for every single child in Hamilton County."
Chattanooga 2.0 leaders have set their focus on improving school readiness/early-childhood development; third-grade literacy; career exploration in middle school; post-secondary readiness;post-secondary completion and workforce readiness.
Monday's open house is a drop-in event. People are asked to come the Bessie Smith Cultural Center anytime between 4 and 8 p.m.