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Narrative:  The "Schooled for Success" program is an initiative of the Knox County Schools. Its goal is to better equip eighth grade students for life and work. This is accomplished through three primary activities:

1. An in-school curriculum that focuses on self-assessment, career exploration, career planning, and pre-employment skills development.
2. A career fair conducted at a central community location from 4-8 PM, providing an opportunity for students and parents to interact with over 40 employers representing most occupational areas.
3. A summer internship giving students a week of experience in the real world.

All eighth grade students take the course. Ten class periods are devoted to the curriculum that is rotated through different courses. The internship is unpaid. A total of 350 students participated in the summer of 1999, roughly 10 percent of the eighth graders.

It Works!  Since this project was noted on the State's website, Knox county has received phone calls from all over the country! Large numbers of students are served and high school counselors note that students and parents are better prepared to develop the 4-year plan as a result of this project. Parental participation has increased and CBO involvement in middle school activities has increased five-fold.

Contact:
Scott Bacon, Partnership Director
Knox County Schools
912 South Gay Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
865/594-1908 (Voice)
865/594-1907 (Fax)