TCCC releases fourth annual Regional Education Report

“Constructive Disruption” report designed to provoke change

Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaborative released its Regional Education Report: Chapter 4 during the organization’s Community Leadership Council breakfast at Charleston Southern University.

This report, titled “Constructive Disruption,” is intended to provoke the disruption of the status quo in public education so that meaningful, systemic improvement resulting in significantly improved student outcomes takes place.

“It is clear that every child can learn, and, yet, too many of our students are leaving high school unprepared for either college or a career and less likely to realize their dreams. Without local, qualified candidates, our businesses will struggle to fill available, high-paying jobs, and the region’s economic success and quality of life will suffer,” Anita Zucker, chair of the TCCC Board of Directors and CEO of The InterTech Group, said. “There are too few civic and business leaders demanding something better, especially for students of color and of poverty who are the least well served. It is past time for us all to speak out, engage and insist every child receives an excellent education.”

Anita Zucker, Chair, The Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaborative from MidlandsBiz on Vimeo.

 

Each year since 2015, TCCC has published the Regional Education Report to objectively report where this region stands, highlight bright spots and show where additional work is needed to achieve 2025 goals. While TCCC continues in Chapter 4 to faithfully report updated regional data
across the continuum, this report acknowledges that little or no progress has been made.

“The data continue to say the same thing. Public education in our region is failing to educate a significant number of our children,” John C. Read, CEO of TCCC, said. “Low-income, mostly Black and Hispanic children are faring the worst, and, in many ways, those who work in public
education, especially teachers, are the victims of this systems failure as well.”

Chapter 4 makes specific recommendations regarding equity and improvement across the continuum, while acknowledging that the politics of public education make positive action on these recommendations highly doubtful. Some examples include:

• Quality pre-school (3K and 4K) for all should be mandated and funded by the state.
• Where school choice is policy, transportation should be provided for those who need it.
• The Title 1 mandate, provided for students living in poverty, should be fully funded.
• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) should be fully funded.
• Districts should require all high school seniors to complete a math course and the FAFSA.
• Act 388, limiting the ability of governments to raise money for schools, should be changed.
• Professional development programs for teachers and principals should be a top priority.
• Financial incentives should be given to the best teachers to serve in challenging schools.
• Alternative pathways to teacher certification should be developed and implemented.

To read the Regional Education Report: Chapter 4, visit TCCC’s website:
www.TriCountyCradleToCareer.org

 

About the Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaborative

The Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaborative (TCCC) is a community-wide movement in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, South Carolina, focused on improving the quality of life of its citizens and its workforce through education. Using data and focused community
collaboration across a continuum from “cradle-to-career,” TCCC serves as a catalyst for widespread, systemic change, with the ultimate goal of increased success and economic prosperity for all.