VIEW THE VISION

Build a Literacy-to-Life pathway so every child can learn, lead, and leave a legacy in Shelby County.

Education is the bridge to opportunity. A strong education system is crime prevention, workforce development, and economic growth all in one. We will invest in a Pre-K to Paycheck pathway: birth-to-three supports, expanded Pre-K access, real work experience for teens, and clear job connections for adults. It connects the classroom to a career field to ensure every resident from Orange Mound to Lakeland is ready for their next level of success.

Commitment:

We will build a countywide education-to-employment system where learning leads to earnings. This system recognizes that when mothers and families have access to childcare, clear information, and economic pathways, children succeed at higher rates.

Priorities:

• Literacy to Life Pathway  

• Education Compact

• Parent Power Hubs

1. Literacy to Life Pathway: Pre-K to Paycheck  

• Birth-to-3 Family Support

  Expand nurse home-visiting, parent coaching, early literacy kits for new parents, and developmental screenings

• Pre-K for Shelby County

  Ensure every 3- and 4-year-old has access to high-quality early learning; Grow early childhood instructor pool through recruitment and training incentives

• Middle Matters

  Partner with businesses and nonprofits to provide mentorship, skills exposure, and career exploration beginning in grades 5-8

• Next Level Cohorts

  10,000 paid youth and college student jobs & internships over four summers to build skills, income, and a clear next step into college, industry certification, and/or full-time work. 

  • County tax incentive linked to businesses who hire cohort participants

  • Support with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act dollars and publish an accountability report
    

2. Education Compact

• Convene MSCS, municipal districts, charter operators twice yearly for ACE Days (All County Education) led by the Mayor and anchored by a shared outcomes commitment  

  • Review district outcomes, set priorities, align county resources (funding, health, housing, workforce supports, transit)

• Establish a County Go-Pro Board

  • Connects businesses, chambers, Southwest TN Community College, TCATs (Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology), and all school districts

  • Quarterly work sessions to monitor progress and remove barriers

  • Host GoPro Day for presenting meaningful career opportunities that position students to go pro in something in addition to sports (healthcare tech, logistics, data, skilled trades, sports science)

• Countywide public “Literacy-to-Life” scorecard with key indicators for all districts disaggregated by race, income, disability status, English learner status, and geography:
  

  • Early Foundations

    Pre-K enrollment rate (3–4-year-olds), Kindergarten readiness, K–3 reading proficiency, Chronic absenteeism (K–3 and overall)
    

  • Middle & Secondary Readiness

    8th-grade math and literacy benchmarks, On-track to graduate (credits earned by end of 9th grade), High school graduation rate, FAFSA completion rate
    

  • Career & Postsecondary Outcomes

    Industry certifications earned, Paid work-based learning placements (internships, apprenticeships), Postsecondary enrollment or job placement within 6 months of graduation
    

  • Stability & Access 

    Students experiencing homelessness or housing instability, Average commute time to school or training, Students connected to mental health or counseling services
    

3. Parent Power Hubs

Let’s face it, things have changed dramatically since our parents were in school and resources should be accessible across the county to improve how families experience Shelby County. Parent Power Hubs will intentionally support mothers and women caregivers navigating education systems, workforce transitions, and access to benefits across the county. 

Because parents are the engine of student success, we will collaborate to empower families through:

• Childcare subsidy support

• Multilingual workshops on rights, services, and supports in community centers

• Understand Your Child’s Data sessions