Education Taskforce:
The Dallas Regional Chamber believes education is the key to the success of the workforce and that business involvement in education is pertinent to this success. The focus of this taskforce is to broaden the Chamber’s regional educational focus while providing continuing support of Dallas ISD and current programs. The taskforce meets monthly and reports its recommendations and findings to the Workforce/Education Advisory Council of the Chamber. Its overall mission is to promote and direct business involvement and awareness in education in order to create a prepared workforce.
Principal Executive Partnership:
Principal Executive Partnership (PEP) is an innovative concept that quickly grew into a program benefiting business professionals and school principals alike. PEP builds relationships between the business sector and public schools by pairing principals with business executives and covering current issues affecting schools. One premise behind this group is that today’s quality of education will affect tomorrow’s quality of workforce. A second is that business professionals can offer advice regarding goal setting, strategic planning and the utilization of school and community resources in order to help principals manage and run schools more effectively. The program also serves to develop mentoring relationships on a one-on-one level promoting growth between both parties. Each principal is paired with an executive to determine personal goals, exchange information and share leadership skills. In addition to regularly scheduled meetings with their coach and or principal, the pair also attends quarterly meetings among the entire executive coaching committee to discuss issues at the forefront of education, personal challenges and most importantly accomplishments.
Focus on Education Breakfast:
With so many crucial issues being faced in education today, it is difficult for a busy professional to stay up to date. Our breakfast series offers a unique opportunity for business professionals to become better informed about key educational issues affecting our region today by hearing experts in the field. The series not only looks at the issues at the forefront of education but also hosts the following signature events: the Annual State of the District Luncheon, the Annual State of the Region Luncheon, our Commissioner of Education Luncheon, among others.
Texas Scholars:
The ongoing economic strength of Texas, within a competitive global market, depends on the educational achievements of all our young people. This requires that we encourage and support our high school students in a way that motivates them to build a strong academic foundation that will prepare them for the future. Texas Scholars has been an effective vehicle for communicating real world expectations to students so they have a better understanding of what awaits them beyond high school. The program sends business professionals into eighth grade classrooms to explain why taking the right courses during secondary education are an important step in preparing for the future. The program encourages students to complete the Recommended High School Graduation Plan and have a college career plan before graduating.
College for Texans Campaign:
As the second largest state in the country, Texas has a 45 percent college-going rate within a year of graduating high school. In comparison, the national average of students going on to college upon high school graduation is 67 percent. In response to this growing issue, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is working to supply Texas school districts with the information they need to prepare their students for education after high school, and ultimately enable their students to be one step closer in their quest for personal success. Through the Go Centers program, schools receive the information they need regarding admissions, financial aid and other factors their students should consider in going to college. Through this information, students realize college is an option for them and learn the direct steps they need to take to make it a reality.
Youth Mentoring:
This program matches a Dallas Independent School District student who may be at risk of dropping out of school, with a mentor from the community. Dallas ISD created this school-based program, in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas, to provide selected students with a positive and consistent role model. This one-on-one mentoring program targets both high schools and middle schools in the district. For more information please visit the Youth Mentoring web site.
Education Roundtable:
The Dallas Regional Chamber recognizes the opportunity that exists to understand our surrounding districts and their needs. The Chamber wants to ensure the community is aware of the issues, challenges and opportunities within our districts and within the region. In effort to create this awareness, the Chamber host quarterly lunches with business representatives and school district personnel for an informal discussion over issues your district is currently facing. For success we must all work together to help our neighboring districts and region as a whole reach its goals and priorities.
State of the Region Luncheon:
As a regional business alliance, the Chamber is committed to ensuring members of our business community stay informed on the current state and the future of education in the region. This luncheon gives the community a chance to listen to area superintendents in an informative panel discussion on the issues facing public education. By keeping our business community informed on these key issues, we can become more proactive in building and supporting improvements in the quality of public education which will be key to the future of our workforce.
State of the District Luncheon:
This luncheon provides the opportunity for the community to hear the Superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District speak on the current and future state of the second largest school district in Texas and the twelfth largest district in the country. This luncheon serves as an event for the purpose of reaffirming the importance of business involvement in education. Furthermore, this luncheon gives the community an opportunity to better understand the issues facing public education particularly in Dallas ISD.
Commissioner of Public Education:
This event provides the business community of the Dallas/Fort Worth region an opportunity to hear about the challenges and opportunities affecting the state of public education from the State Commissioner of Public Education. By keeping the business community informed on issues at the forefront of education, the Chamber seeks to create a more proactive community in building and supporting improvements in the quality of public education, which will be key to the future of our workforce.
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