Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn today announced that 74 Tennessee high schools are leading the way in the state to become the first to receive a pathways certification from the Tennessee Department of Education. This certification recognizes strong alignment between high school programs of study offered, postsecondary partners, and high-quality employment opportunities in their region. The department launched the Tennessee Pathways Certification as the K-12 initiative under Tennessee’s Drive to 55 to elevate and celebrate model college and career pathways throughout the state.

Tennessee Pathways is structured around three key elements shown to increase seamless enrollment and success in postsecondary programs:

1. High-quality college and career advisement throughout K-12;
2. Rigorous early postsecondary and work-based learning opportunities in high school; and
3. Seamless vertical alignment between K-12, postsecondary programs, and career opportunities as a result of effective partnerships among school districts, higher education institutions, employers, and community organizations.

These Certified Tennessee Pathways are providing students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences that lead to in-demand careers. Each pathway was evaluated through a rigorous application process in which schools detailed their postsecondary and employer partnerships, early college and career experiences, and structures for providing students with high-quality career advisement.

All schools serving grades 9-12 in Tennessee were eligible to apply; however, it was encouraged that applicants bridge programming to elementary and middle schools within their school system. More than 400 applications were submitted from 81 school districts across the state. After a comprehensive review, a total of 122 pathways representing 74 high schools received the Tennessee Pathways Certification.

Schools in the listening area recognized include:

Anderson County Schools – Machining Technology Pathway at Anderson County High School

Cumberland County Schools – Nursing Services Pathway at Cumberland County High School and Stone Memorial High School – Advanced

Overton County Schools – Health Science Pathway at Livingston Academy – Excelling

Putnam County Schools

Mechatronics Pathway at Cookeville High School – Advanced

Nursing Services Pathway at Cookeville High School – Certified

Nursing Services Pathway at Monterey High School – Certified

Nursing Services Pathway at Upperman High School – Certified

Roane County Schools

Health Science Pathway at Harriman High School – Advanced

STEM Pathway at Harriman High School – Advanced

DE Middle College Pathway at Harriman High School – Advanced

Health Science Pathway at Midway High School – Advanced

DE Middle College Pathway at Midway High School – Advanced

Business Pathway at Midway High School – Certified

Health Science Pathway at Oliver Springs High School – Advanced

DE Middle College Pathway at Oliver Springs High School – Advanced

Business Pathway at Oliver Springs High School – Certified

Health Science Pathway at Roane County High School – Advanced

DE Middle College Pathway at Roane County High School – Advanced

Business Pathway at Roane County High School – Certified

Health Science Pathway at Rockwood High School – Advanced

DE Middle College Pathway at Rockwood High School – Advanced

Business Pathway at Rockwood High School – Certified

White County Schools – Mechatronics Pathway at White County High School – Excelling