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

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

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 Interim Goal:30% improvement over Interim Goal:70% improvement over Goal: 100% compliance in Programs participating in the Know(2) Pilot

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

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

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.

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.

Goals will be realigned with Smarter Balance Assessment tool after school year Grade Number Tested 2012 % Met or Exemplary 2015 % Met or Exemplary 2020 % Met or Exemplary 2025 % Met or Exemplary Measure: 2012 Cherokee County PASS (Palmetto Assessment of State Standards) Math Performance by Grade Level.

Number Tested 2012 Met Standard (Level 2 or Higher) 2015 Met Standard (Level 2 or Higher) 2020 Met Standard (Level 2 or Higher) 2025 Met Standard (Level 2 or Higher) %84%87%90% Measure: 2012 Cherokee County HSAP (High School Assessment Program) Exit Exam 10 th Grade 1 st Attempt

Algebra 1 Scores 2012 Scoring 70+% % Scores % Scores % Scores Cherokee County 75.7%80%85%90% South Carolina 81.7% Measure: 2012 Cherokee County End-of-Course (EOCEP) Algebra 1 Scores 70 & Above

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.

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 9 th 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

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)

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)

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%)

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.

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%

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

Goal 1: Cherokee County will increase % of the adult population 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.

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%)

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

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

Know2cherokee.com