OUR VISION:

A better educated community to support business and economic development in the Tyler Area

OUR MISSION:

To engage the business community in driving measurable improvement in educational outcomes and economic success in the Tyler Area

With the support of the business and education communities, the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Tyler established the Tyler Area Business Education Council in 2012. Since its inception, the Business Education Council has worked with partners in all sectors to elevate education as one of the region’s most critical issues. The Business Education Council has served as an organizer of stakeholders and as a partner to businesses, schools, colleges, and universities in developing new programs, facilities, and events to assist area students and families. It additionally serves to ensure local workforce needs are properly aligned with available educational programs and skills training.

THE BUSINESS EDUCATION COUNCIL IS:

• A 501c3 nonprofit organization

• Funded by investors, including major area employers, local governments, educational institutions, and foundations

• The backbone organization for the Tyler Area Partnership 4 Education

In 2014, the Business Education Council launched the Tyler Area Partnership 4 Education, a Collective Impact initiative modeled on work being done to improved educational outcomes in communities across the United States.  The goal of the partnership is to use the principles of Collective Impact to increase the number of Smith County residents possessing a post-secondary credential or degree to 60% by the year 2025.  Together with the Council members, there are several Smith County organizations working together in the areas of Kindergarten Readiness, Middle to High School transition, Postsecondary Readiness, Access and Success and Workforce Integration.

SOME OF THE MOST NOTABLE PROJECTS OF THE COUNCIL INCLUDE:

#SchoolisCool

Celebrate Back to School with a community wide event featuring afterschool programs and extracurricular activities, health and social services, postsecondary education and career information, financial literacy resources, immunizations, free haircuts, dental and vision screenings and much more! Backpacks stuffed with school supplies are given away to the attendees on a first come, first serve basis.

Kindergarten Registration

Be sure all children are registered for kindergarten and have mastered all of the milestones on the Kindergarten Readiness Checklist.

Leadership Live:  Student Edition

Leadership Tyler provides a special opportunity for Smith County students to hear the keynote speaker of their Leadership Live event.

Pre-Kindergarten Registration

Spread the word that it is time to register 3 and 4 year olds for a high-quality preschool program that will ensure that all students enter kindergarten ready to learn.

Principal for a Day

This event is designed to:

• Give business leaders a view inside the education world, as well as an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of local schools.
• Demonstrate the business community’s dedication and commitment to helping our schools and students succeed.
• Form ongoing partnerships between local businesses and the ISD.

Mayor’s Mentorship Achievement Program (MAP)

MAP is a business mentoring program that connects leaders in the business world to students in our community. The senior year is a turning point in a student’s journey. There are many key milestones that must be achieved to graduates for postsecondary success. MAP is just one way that the business community can help students (and our future workforce) succeed!

Money for College

A Financial Aid Event that provides an opportunity for students and families to receive one-on-one assistance with completing and submitting the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid). The event will be held at several locations throughout Smith County.

Smith County College Fair

Smith County students and parents are able to visit with more than 70 college and university recruiters from across the nation. Students will be able to learn more about their academic options. The recruiters’ knowledge and expertise will be essential to assisting students and parents through the college decision-making process.

Smith County Education Report

A community-wide report celebrating the successes in education across Smith County, Texas, and our nation.

Teacher Appreciation Week

A community-wide appreciation week celebrating educators across Smith County.

Tyler Chamber of Commerce Career Connections Event (C4)

The Tyler Area Business Education Council & Chamber of Commerce invites students from Smith County high schools to attend this day long conference that provides information on the careers, soft skills, college application process, financial literacy and much more!

COUNCIL RESOURCES:

Tyler Area Partnership 4 Education Website

Tyler 1st Strategic Plan: Education Chapter