contributing technology to classrooms, or providing
experience before graduating from high school.
wraparound support to students.
These experiences provide students with insight
into different career paths they could pursue and
Expand Access to Youth Apprenticeships and
allow them to develop critical skillsets that will make
Internships. The Tennessee Department of
them competitive candidates in the workforce. For
Education, Department of Economic and Community
these reasons, the Tennessee Business Roundtable
Development, Department of Labor, and the
and local chambers of commerce should work
Tennessee Business Roundtable should work together
with the Tennessee Department of Education and
to establish and expand opportunities for students to
other agencies to expand student access to youth
participate in apprenticeships with local businesses
apprenticeships and internship opportunities at
throughout high school. Youth apprenticeships
local Tennessee businesses. SCORE stands ready to
and internships allow students to gain real work
support these efforts.
In ternships and Apprenticeships at
Martin Luther King Jr. MAGNET School
At Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet School (MLK) in Nashville, a two-time SCORE Prize
finalist, students have a variety of opportunities to engage in internships
and apprenticeships. Like many high schools around the state, MLK
has strong relationships with local colleges and universities. MLK
has used those relationships not only to engage students in dual
enrollment opportunities, but also work opportunities.
MLK has intentionally developed internship programs with both Vanderbilt University and
Tennessee State University to not only provide students with real-life work experience while in high
school, but also on-campus exposure to postsecondary institutions. Internship opportunities are
designed to match with the STEM focus at MLK. Students can work with leading experts in Biomedical
Informatics at Vanderbilt as well as Agriculture and Engineering at Tennessee State. MLK is looking to
expand the program to other local colleges and universities as well.
Provide Children with High-Quality Early Literacy
organizations must provide children with high-quality
Instruction. Early education providers, families, and
early education experiences, both at home and in
community organizations should work together to
school, to help them develop a strong foundation for
ensure children have access to high-quality early
reading when they start school.
learning experiences that allow them to enter
kindergarten with the foundation they need to
Incentivize Students to Pursue Degrees and
succeed in reading. As Tennessee implements
Certifications in High-Need Employment Areas. The
innovative programs to improve student outcomes
Tennessee Business Roundtable should work with
in reading, students must enter kindergarten with
businesses across the state to develop scholarship
the language skills they need to learn to read.
opportunities for students pursuing careers in high-
Early childhood providers, families, and community
need employment areas. As noted earlier, several
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