Since the Carroll Tomorrow Workforce Education Task Force first published its aspirational goals in 2011, the dream of the Carrollton-Carroll County Education Collaborative (CCEC) began to form into reality. The Harvard University Pathways to Prosperity project cited this work as one of the most innovative efforts in the country. The 12 for Life program (a partnership between Southwire Inc. and Carroll County Schools was also noted as a model drop-out prevention/workforce preparedness program for other communities to emulate.
In response to the Governor’s High Demand Career Initiative (Preparing Georgia’s Future Workforce Now), the CCEC met for the first time in December of 2014. The CCEC brought together leadership of public and independent school systems, the regional technical college, the comprehensive four-year university and chamber and community leaders to establish a common vision for P-16 success. Since the first meeting, the CCEC has committed to assuming the shared responsibility of regional educational efforts and shared responsibilities to foster change, achieve coherence in their curriculum and promote success for students past high school graduation.
The vision for the CCEC was accelerated when Dr. Kyle Marrero, President of the University of West Georgia (UWG), collaborated with Mr. Steve Daniel, President of West Georgia Technical College (WGTC), Mr. Scott Cowart, Superintendent of Carroll County Schools, Dr. Kent Edwards, Superintendent of Carrollton City Schools, Ms. Paula Gillispie, Oak Mountain Academy Head of School and Mr. Daniel Jackson, President/CEO of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. By July of 2015, results of the various entity partnerships were already being realized with the implementation of Move on When Ready legislation (MOWR). UWG and WGTC merged student advisement and registration materials in a seamless format that led to phenomenal increases in student participation in the program.
During 2015-2016, the CCEC progressed from a commitment to communicate to a “one community school house P-16 design.” The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE), the 2016 Georgia Legislative Body and others recognized the CCEC for the collective impact accomplished thus far with increased expectations moving forward.
The CCEC Summit for 2016 represents the continued efforts of the Carroll County business and industry communities along with the educational entities to prepare our 21st century students to enter the workforce, enlist in the military or enroll in a post-secondary institution immediately upon completion of high school.
President's Introduction to CCEC (PDF, 191K)
Original Members (PDF, 55.9K)
Letters of Support (PDF, 831K)