Last month's issue reviewed the heart of the TN-CAPS pilots— local Chambers and businesses across the state who were stepping up to provide information on workforce needs, provide information and feedback for the lessons, and offer time, talents, and resources to bring careers into classrooms. More businesses are being recruited to ensure we can provide connections from the area businesses to TN-CAPS. If you are or know of a business that might engage, please fill out this simple Business Survey .

"TN-CAPS directly aligns with the post-secondary goals of the Jackson-Madison County School District by providing students with access to local opportunities to increase the talent pipeline. The program also promotes the work we are doing at the Jackson Chamber to provide our local industry with skilled workers and a healthy economic environment ,” stated Vicki Bunch, Vice President of Talent Development at the Jackson Chamber.

“We hope the entire state embraces this program to continue building upon the economic gains we've had and provide a brighter future for Tennessee."

The TN-CAPS portal and lesson plans were developed by aligning with data on Tennessee's business environments and workforce needs for the future. Proprietary employer data collected by the TN Chamber specifically for TN-CAPS was cross-referenced with Tennessee Labor Education Alignment Program (LEAP) information and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s 2019 annual report, which ranked Tennessee's Top 25 High-Demand Occupations based on projected annual job openings from 2016 to 2026.

Each TN-CAPS lesson plan includes two levels of activities that demonstrate tasks in the specific career, while also linking to the skills being taught in each of the four grade levels: Kindergarten-2nd grade, 3rd-5th grade, middle school and high school. Then, each lesson provides a way to engage and connect to local businesses that hire that type of career.

Nine top careers were selected for inclusion in the initial release of TN-CAPS lessons based on the highest demand careers, desired living wages and employer availability for the four age groups that the program serves. Here are examples of four of the introductory 36 pilot lesson plans:

These lessons are currently being reviewed by practitioners across the state and will be included in the launch in January. As TN-CAPS expands, there will be even more careers added and featured in lesson plans. Businesses can get involved by completing the Business Survey to indicate their workforce needs and willingness to engage with local schools, allowing students to “see what they can be” in TN-CAPS.

Sneak Peek: TN-CAPS Portal

TN-CAPS web portal provides an easy way for all partners to participate through an orientation to the program for local chambers, business partners and schools. 

The portal is designed to allow educators easy access to lesson plans that help engage students of all ages to learn about local careers and businesses with job opportunities.

In the portal, teachers simply select their district and school to receive applicable lesson plans and information—searchable by industry, career name and participating businesses—without any need for passwords or other specific accounts. 

The business listings include contact information and ways that the business has indicated that they will engage with the schools and students.

To explore the engagement portion of the portal, please visit our website at www.TN-CAPS.com.

The interactive portion of the portal will be released in early January 2020. This initial release will include:

If you were unable to attend the November Webinar where the TN-CAPS portal was demonstrated, please revisit the recording here.

News From Our Pilot Communities:

JMCSS to be a part of pilot program for career awareness, prep through TN Chamber

The Jackson Sun recently featured TN-CAPS and the Jackson-Madison County School System for being one of the six districts participating as a pilot. Read More

Howard students see medical careers in their future through Hamilton County Schools, Erlanger initiative

Hamilton County students are envisioning healthcare careers through hands on experience thanks to one of the Future Ready Institutes, Erlanger Institute of Healthcare and Innovation. Read More

MTSU adds Chattanooga State to transfer program

MTSU is helping more students have postsecondary success by expanding their MTSU Promise program to Chattanooga State Community College. Read More

Cleveland City Schools Receives 3 Tennessee Pathways Certifications

Cleveland City Schools received three Tennessee Pathways certifications for three Career and Technical Education programs: Diagnostic Medicine, Medical Therapeutics, and Mechatronics . Read More

Collierville Library Participates in Preschool Readiness

Collierville Connected recently launched its Preschool Readiness Program, which offers free assistance to parents, guardians, and other care providers to assist in preparing children (from birth to age 5) for early education success. Read More

Tenn. Supreme Court hears two cases before region's high schoolers

Over 500 high school students from Northeast Tennessee heard oral arguments in two cases before the Tennessee Supreme Court and had face time with the attorneys and Chief Justice.  Read More