Expect More Tehama

A community collaboration to transform Tehama County by championing higher expectations for higher education and career readiness. Overall, rural areas have a lower percentage of residents with higher education. Northern California is no exception. From an economic development standpoint, the region needs to raise the skills of the workforce to compete for good companies and to retain our higher skilled. Increasingly the fastest growing, high wage jobs require postsecondary education. Now more than ever, we need all students prepared. Expect More Tehama also realizes that college is not for everyone. For some it might be a four year degree, but for others a two year degree, the military, a certificate program, apprenticeship or classes as they learn on the job. What if all students were rich in facts, information, support and mentors? Would more take part in one of these options? The need for higher skills is not limited to high school students. Adult learners have options and must be encouraged to continue learning new skills. Expect More Tehama is not an education issue. It is a community issue. It is a discussion about expectations and intentions and encourages a culture shift. In May 2010, over 100 stakeholders met at a Summit to tackle the question: What can we do or put in place that will start to raise expectations and support youth in continuing their education and skills beyond high school? The room was electric and positive. The ideas were proactive and numerous. Based on the outcomes of the first Summit, and several since, Expect More Tehama continues to be amazed at the progress, relationships and passion that surround this movement.