100% Graduation

June 21, 2011

When a community believes in something and takes responsibility for making it happen, great things can take place. That is the case when a group of school system employees and several community business representatives and elected officials joined to form the 100% Graduation Project Team.

More than 100 businesses, civic and faith-based organizations have signed up to be a part of the 100% Graduation Project which is now celebrating its third year.

The vision for graduation must begin early for students. Reading on grade level is so important at a young age that the state of Tennessee plans the number ofprisons it will build based on the reading level of children in the third grade. The majority of all inmates in state and federal prisons are high school dropouts. By supporting 100% graduation in our community, people are supporting:

• A safer community
• An improved quality of life
• A stronger economy
• A brighter future

The CMCSS graduation rate moved from 78.5% in 2006 to 85.7% in 2007, to 88.3% in 2008, to 90.8% in 2009, 91% in 2010, and 93.5% in 2011. All high schools in the school system exceeded their individual target rates. These results came from the focus and hard work of our students, teachers, administrators, support staff, parents and community members who support the schools.

For more information on the 100% Graduation Project Team, please contact Candy Johnson at 920-7955 or [email protected].