Sullivan County board recognized for TCAT dual-enrollment partnership; 483 students enrolled

The Sullivan County School Board heard a presentation on its dual-enrollment partnership with Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT), which district and TCAT representatives said supports pathways into technical careers and workforce development.

Richard Church, identifying himself as executive vice president of TCAT Elizabethton, told the board TCAT has invested in equipment for Sullivan County programs — including a new mill and lathe for West Ridge’s machine-tool technology pathway — and provides mentoring visits for high-school instructors. "We have 483 students currently dual enrolled with Tennessee College of Applied Technology. That's a 20% participation rate for the county school system as a whole, which is remarkable," Church said.

Church said 34 students from Westridge and Sullivan East have earned either TCAT certificates or diplomas while still in high school over the last two years, and that the district expects additional students to complete capstone classes this spring. He cited near-100% pass rates on certain exams for those capstone cohorts and noted programs such as CNA and CCMA as examples of high-school students earning postsecondary credentials.

District Director Carter and board members praised the partnership, noting that equipment purchases, instructor alignment exercises and mentoring from TCAT instructors help prepare students for employment or further technical study. Board members described the recognition as a "silver level" designation for dual-enrollment partnership for the spring term.

Board members and TCAT representatives highlighted the partnership’s economic and workforce-development benefits for the region and noted ongoing coordination with local postsecondary partners. The board accepted the presentation; members thanked students, instructors and TCAT staff for the collaboration and outcomes reported.