Chamber Forms CEO Reform Oversight Group

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has organized a group of executives to oversee high school reform in Metro Schools. The chamber announced Wednesday the so-called “CEO Champions” have a particular interest in helping shape high school academies that focus on a single field and charter schools.

Businessman Steve Turner, the founder of Marketstreet Enterprises, co-chairs the industry panel. He says the members want to help keep students interested in school by making learning relevant to the business world.

“It’s a lot of the social skills. It’s a lot of the training in ethics. It’s a lot of the things they’re not getting to integrate them easily into society. That hasn’t appeared to be the mission of schools.”

One of the first activities of the committee will be to help organize a district-wide career fair for 9th graders. Metro Schools director Jesse Register says 9th grade is when the system loses the most students to dropping out.

Earlier: Tanner Worried Healthcare Overhaul Will Raise National Debt
Later: Gubernatorial Candidates Take on Budget, Vouchers