What is STEP?
STEP is an acronym for Southwest Tennessee Educational Pathways. It is the intent of STEP to change the educational culture of the region. The leadership of the REDI region understands the linkages between education, workforce and economic development.
STEP, the cornerstone of the REDI initiative, is a two-phase College Access Program. Phase I of STEP is to work with each of the 12 REDI communities to develop a mentoring program. These mentors will be tasked with working with the participating students on the following:
¨ importance of post-secondary education
¨ advisement on career paths
¨ assistance to the student and family with college applications and any financial aid forms
Phase II of STEP, is to work with your local community to help provide the “Last Dollar” in scholarships to any student that desires to attend a community college or technology center for two years.
STEP is designed after the Ayers Foundation program which is one of the most resourced and successful college access programs in the country.
Each of the counties in the REDI region determine to whom their program will be catered. Some may choose to focus on the traditional student, some non-traditional. They may choose to require a GPA or ACT score, some may not.
The benefit of this program is a more educated population and workforce that will help to make this region of West Tennessee grow and become more prosperous.