KNOW that I must be highly educated for economic success and high quality of life;

2. KNOW that I must be highly educated for economic success and high quality of life; KNOW that a higher education is achievable by me, my family, and my community.

4. EARLY CHILDHOOD TASK FORCE OBJECTIVES • All citizens will embrace the vision that “Education Begins at Birth.” • Identify and support the optimal development of every child • Provide children with the skill and confidence to be successful academically and reach their potential

5. Goal 1: All Children will enter school with readiness skills necessary to be successful learners. • Measure: Baseline measures to be established in Spring 2013 using ITERS (Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale) and ECERS ( Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale) in day care centers participating in KNOW(2) Early Childhood Certification pilot program. • 2015 Interim Goal: 30% improvementover 2013 • 2020 Interim Goal: 70% improvement over 2013 • 2025 Goal: 100% compliance in Programs participating in the Know(2) Pilot

6. Goal 2: All children will read at grade level by 3rd grade Measure: 2012 Cherokee County PASS (Palmetto Assessment State Standards) • Cherokee County 3rd Grade ELA performance: Met and Exemplary: 69.3% • South Carolina 3rd Grade ELA performance : Met and Exemplary: 80.3% Goals will be realigned with Smarter Balance Assessment tool after 2013-2014 school year

7. Early Childhood • 2015 Interim Goal: 76% Met and Exemplary (increase County by 7%) • 2020 Interim Goal: 83% Met & Exemplary (increase 7% & exceed SC rate) • 2025 Goal: 90% Met and Exemplary

9. DO THE MATH TASK FORCE OBJECTIVES Improve stem education by: • Fostering positive attitudes about math & science • Supporting excellence in math 7 & science curricula • Promoting community involvement.

10. Goal 1: Raise student confidence about successfully passing math and algebra by motivating & preparing them. Goal 2: Help prepare students to be college & career ready.

11. Measure: 2012 Cherokee County PASS (Palmetto Assessment of State Standards) Math Performance by Grade Level. Goals will be realigned with Smarter Balance Assessment tool after 2013-2014 school year

12. Measure: 2012 Cherokee County HSAP (High School Assessment Program) Exit Exam 10th Grade 1st Attempt

13. Measure: 2012 Cherokee County End-of-Course (EOCEP) • Algebra 1 Scores 70 & Above

15. Transition Task Force Objectives: • Build a career ready workforce in Cherokee County • Assist students in planning for 2 or 4 year college, technical school or military career.

16. Goal 1: Cherokee County will increase the percentage of students graduating from high school prepared for college and the workforce. Measure: 2012 State Regional Education Board & County School District Data % of 9th graders completing high school • 79.6% Cherokee County students graduating High School • 66% SC students graduating High School • 73% southern states region students graduating High School • 81% nationally students graduating High School

17. 2017 Interim Goal 85% (exceed current Cherokee County rate by 5.4%) • 2021 Interim Goal 91% (exceed current Cherokee County rate by 11.4%) • 2025 Goal 95% (Cherokee County will be #1 in the nation)

18. Goal 2: Increase % of Cherokee County High School Graduates Entering College Directly (2 yr, 4 yr, Technical College) Measure: 2013 Cherokee County Indicators Report 2011 National Center for Education • 51% of Cherokee County high school graduates enter college directly from high school (2011) • 66% of SC high school graduates enter college directly from high school (2011) • 70% of national high school graduates enter college directly from high school (2011)

19. 2017 Interim Goal 59% (exceed current Cherokee County rate by 8%) • 2021 Interim Goal 67% (exceed the SC state rate of 66%) • 2025 Goal 75% (exceed the national rate of 75%)

20. Goal 3: Increase % of Cherokee County Students Receiving Spartanburg Community College Certificate or Degree in 3 Years to supply career ready workforce to Cherokee County employers, especially the local manufacturing industry. • Measure: Cherokee County Students receiving SCC Certificate or Degree in 2012 was 41.

21. 2017 Interim Goal 96 Total, exceeding current rate by 137% • 2021 Interim Goal 146 Total, exceeding current rate by 256% • 2025 Goal 176 Total, exceeding current Cherokee County rate by 329%

23. Adult Education Task Force Objective: • Provide a means by which drop-out adults will attain GED and qualify for additional training / education leading to employment

24. Goal 1: Cherokee County will increase % of the adultpopulation aged 25+ with a high school credential. • Measure: 2013 Cherokee County Indicators • 74.2% of Cherokee County adult population ages 25+ have at least high school diploma or equivalency. • 83.9% of SC adult population ages 25+ have at least high school diploma or equivalency. • 85.6% of National adult population ages 25+ have at least high school diploma or equivalency.

25. 2015 Interim Goal: 78% with diploma/GED (increase by 3.8%) • 2020 Interim Goal: 84% with diploma/GED (exceed SC rate 83.9%) • 2025 Goal: 86% with diploma/GED (exceed nat’l rate 85.6%)

26. Goal 2: Cherokee County will increase % adult population aged 25+ with “some college or associate’s degree”. • Measure: 2011 Census: • 21% of Cherokee County adult population ages 25+ yrs • 29.4% of SC adult population ages 25+ yrs • 29% of National adult population ages 25+yrs

27. Goal 3: Cherokee County will increase the % of population ages 25+ with a baccalaureate degree or higher education. • Measure: 2013 Cherokee County Indicators: • 12.1% of Cherokee County residents ages 25+ with a baccalaureate degree or higher education • 24.3% of SC residents ages 25+ with a baccalaureate degree or higher education • 28.2% of National population ages 25+ with a baccalaureate degree or higher education

28. Know2cherokee.com