On May 4, we hosted an event in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to explore the role business leaders in our community should play in providing high-quality early education in our region. This half-day convening included research on the short and long-term effects of pre-k, an examination of early education programs across the Middle Tennessee region, and a conversation around lessons to be learned from peer cities.
The Nashville community has started to address the need to improve student outcomes through early intervention, particularly since the release of the Blueprint for Early Childhood Success. This plan aims to double the amount of third graders reading on grade level by 2025. Currently, only 34% of the third graders in Metro Nashville Public Schools read on grade level. This metric is an important indicator for student success both in school and in later life. Early interventions, like improvements to early education, have a good chance of improving outcomes for the next generation.
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