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Area business representatives flooded into Dallas ISD middle schools over the last two weeks of October. What was the rush? These volunteers addressed some of the main issues facing the area education system as well as the area society– graduation rates, future careers and budgeting.
Business representation came from all sectors of the business world. Area businesses included: CapitalOne Bank (also Presenting Sponsor of the program), Atmos Energy Corporation, the BECK Group, Business Control Systems, Envoy Mortgage, DART, DCCCD, Deloitte, TDIndustries, GE Capital Solutions, Goldman Sachs, Intuit, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Marsh, Methodist Health Systems, Texas Instruments, State Farm, TWU, and UT Dallas.
This program is not exclusive to the Chamber. In fact, we work with TBEC (the Texas Business Education Coalition) to be able to provide this material to area 8th grade students. Why 8th graders? Students within Dallas ISD are about to enter into their 9th grade year where they will have the opportunity to decide upon a career path at one of the area high schools. This opportunity at the district helps tie core curriculum into real world application – answering the question students tend to often ask “Why do I need to know this?”
Graduation rates in the district have increased from 62.5 in 2008 to 65.5 in 2009. We hope to see this trend continue with the help of volunteers reaching out to area students.
To be part of this program next year, please contact Lindsay Ayers at lmayers@dallaschamber.org.
Another main issue that the Chamber is addressing is the area college-going rate. Working with area districts, the Education and Workforce Taskforce is starting a program this spring that will assist families of high schools seniors in Dallas ISD and Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD in filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). How can you help? We need volunteers! Please contact Lindsay Ayers for more information at lmayers@dallaschamber.org.
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Fran Eichorst, 
David E. Daniel,