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College and Career Counseling Supports College Completion Efforts in Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee
Jul
28

Tennessee Higher Education Commission

404 James Robertson Parkway
Commission Boardroom, 18th Floor Parkway Towers
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

On Thursday, July 28, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) will discuss implementation of the Complete College Tennessee Act (CCTA) during a working session. In support of the endeavor, the College Board Advocacy & Policy Center will host a College Completion Agenda: State Capitals Campaign event to discuss counselors as a key resource in increasing college completion.

The CCTA, signed into law on January 27, 2010, demonstrates the Tennessee General Assembly’s unique approach to creating a state plan for higher education. The Act contains several different provisions, including one which requires the THEC to develop a statewide master plan for public higher education. Created with close consideration from higher education stakeholders, the plan addresses how the Tennessee higher education system will improve economic and workforce development, increase degree production, and promote institutional collaboration and efficiency through mission differentiation. The CCTA also includes other low-cost reforms such as: the development of a fully transferable 60-credit curriculum; the establishment of a statewide articulation agreement; the requirement that remedial education be taught only at community colleges; and the establishment of a statewide community college system. As Tennessee continues to move forward on the implementation of these strategies, it will look for strategic ways to strengthen its work at the school level.

During the July 28th meeting, the Commission will explore collaboration with state school college and career counselors to strengthen the implementation efforts outlined by CCTA.

Presenters include

  • Governor Bill Haslam (invited)
  • Kevin Huffman, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Education (invited)
  • Richard Rhoda, Executive Director, Tennessee Higher Education Commission
  • Jenny Krugman, Vice President, Southern Region, College Board
  • Patricia J. Martin, Assistant Vice President, National Office for School Counselor Advocacy, Advocacy & Policy Center, College Board
  • Anne Cumbie, Director of School Counseling, Metro Nashville-Davidson County Public Schools

Collaborating Organizations
National Conference of State Legislatures
Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC)

Tennessee Highlights:
Tennessee was an early pioneer of using unique educator identifiers in state education databases to tie teacher and principal data to student data and to preparation programs for evaluation. The data are used to make teacher assignments, tailor instruction and design meaningful professional development and support.

The Complete College Tennessee Act of 2010 requires the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to develop a statewide master plan for public higher education. The master plan will consider input from higher education stakeholders and will address how to improve economic and workforce development, increase degree production, and promote institutional collaboration and efficiency through mission differentiation.

With Lumina funding, Tennessee will work with its colleges and universities to establish model programs for reenrolling and graduating adult students who left college without degrees, but who earned several credits. It will also revise its funding model and incentive program for public institutions.