SCORE launches new grant to support innovative education to career programs

Student working on a computer (Photo by SCORE)

The Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) announced the launch of a new grant program called the Future Forward Innovation Grant that’s designed to support education, community, and industry leaders as they design and launch innovative education pathway programs.

Unveiled at the organization’s annual Future Forward Summit, SCORE says grant recipients will receive up to $75,000, one year of strategic consulting and participation in a cohort-style learning fellowship.      

“We all know that on, this journey from education to work, every student deserves more than a pathway that is based on luck,” said SCORE president and CEO David Mansouri. “At this moment in Tennessee, the most important thing we can do to support our state’s economy is to prepare talented students with the education and skills needed for the workforce of today and tomorrow. Student-centered and career-connected learning is the pathway that will unlock economic opportunity for our state.”

SCORE said in a news release that Tennessee is seeing progress in learning outcomes, postsecondary completion, and degree and credential attainment but students are still facing barriers pursuing their next steps after high school and translating their education into a career that offers high wages and job growth.

Estimates show that, by 2031, 63 percent of jobs in Tennessee will require some form of postsecondary credential according to the organization but only 49 percent of Tennesseans hold such a credential. Additionally, SCORE says just 49 percent of postsecondary credentials earned align to high-demand occupations in Tennessee.

The organization believes the new grant program will help.

“Our state’s economy is rapidly growing, but for all Tennesseans to reach their full potential, we must ensure they have the education and skills needed to turn opportunities into lasting, thriving careers,” said University of Tennessee System president Randy Boyd. “The ultimate goal is to equip learners to become part of the best prepared workforce — a workforce whose members thrive as individuals while also meeting the state’s economic development needs of today and the future.”

As part of the Future Forward Summit, Mansouri called on education leaders to commit to a set of new statewide goals called TN2030. Launched last fall with input from statewide stakeholders, TN2030 offers a shared data-driven vision for Tennessee student success along the entire education journey.