Fewer than 20% of Smith County Students Will Earn a Postsecondary Credential
In 2015 in recognition of Tyler’s established work and investment to improve education outcomes for the Tyler Area, the Tyler Area Business Education Council was awarded the Lumina Foundation’s Community Partnership for Attainment Grant. With support and oversight from the Council, a cross-sector group of community members worked with Lumina to develop and execute strategies that will increase the percentage of residents that possess a postsecondary credential. Tyler was one of the final 20 cities in Lumina’s 75-city community-based attainment network. “The selection of Tyler as one of 75 cities to work with Lumina and other national thought leaders shows that the work in this community is being recognized on a national level”, said former Tyler Mayor Martin Heines.
The Tyler Area Partnership 4 Education (TAP4E) was established in 2015 as an initiative of the Tyler Area Business Education Council. TAP4E was formed to work on educational outcomes from cradle to career in an effort to ensure that Smith County’s young people and adults are better prepared for the demands of the global economy.
The Tyler Area Partnership 4 Education strives to promote student achievement in Smith County, from cradle to career, by leveraging data, community expertise, and collaboration. These pillars comprise what is commonly known as “Collective Impact.”
TAP4E consists of a Leadership Council, Data Support Council, and Three Community Action Networks:
- Kindergarten Readiness
- Middle School to High School Transition
- Postsecondary Readiness, Access, and Success
- Workforce Readiness
Vision
Advancing our community through unifying leadership to increase educational attainment from cradle to career, leading to economic prosperity and improved quality of life.
Mission
Tyler Area Partnership 4 Education unifies diverse organizations in order to nurture, empower, and transform our community through individual achievement of postsecondary credentials leading to success in career and life.
Focus Areas
Kindergarten Readiness
90% of brain development occurs during ages 0-5. National studies show that children exposed to high quality early childhood education are 40% less likely to need special education or be held back a grade. They are also 70% less likely to commit a violent crime by age 18.
All school districts in Smith County offer Head Start or state/district funded Pre-K. Students are eligible for these programs only if they meet specific age and household income or language qualifications. All teachers in these programs have a bachelor’s or higher degree and the programs themselves are held to strict quality standards set by the federal and state governments. While the number of available spaces in Head Start programs are federally mandated based on funding, state funded Pre-K programs have the ability to educate a greater number of qualifying Smith County children.
Middle to High School Transition
While most college and career readiness efforts have traditionally been focused on high school students, research shows that middle school is a critical time for students. Grades, attendance patterns, and engagement at the middle school level are among the strongest predictors of high school graduation and college going rates. According to ACT College Readiness research, the level of academic achievement that students attain by eighth grade has a larger impact on their college and career readiness by the time they graduate from high school than anything that happens academically in high school.
Postsecondary Readiness & Success
While graduation rates in Smith County have been rising in recent years, college readiness has not, with economically disadvantaged and first-generation college students experiencing the greatest challenges.
We designed our college readiness programs to help improve the number of college-ready students graduating from Smith County and the surrounding areas.
Workforce Readiness
Historically, the annual increase in degrees and certificates for colleges and universities in Smith County has been 4%. If that normal growth continues and the educational mobility of the county remains the same (i.e. the number of individuals with a postsecondary degree or credential moving out of Smith County is essentially the same as the number moving in), the percentage of adults completing education beyond high school would fall short of where we need to be to reach 70%. An additional 2,000 postsecondary certificates or degrees over the next 10 years would ensure that Smith County remains economically competitive. These credentials could be earned in high school, technical school, community college, or university.
All students should have the opportunity to complete the education required to seek the best job possible. It is not only important for personal success and fulfillment, but it also ensures that our region, state, and national economies continue to thrive. Postsecondary education greatly increases job choice and earnings.
Ready to Help?
Get in touch with the Tyler Area Business Education Council today
The TABEC works with teachers, parents, students, school administrators, and local businesses. Please reach out to our team today to discuss how you can help better prepare students for college.
