Welcome to the future of TAF. And to the future success of thousands of students of color who need better academic skills to thrive in today’s technology-driven global society.

• Did you know... By 2014, more than 75% of family-wage jobs in our state will require at least some post-secondary education or training?
  
  
• Did you know... More than half of these jobs will require a bachelor’s degree?

• And did you know... You can graduate with a 4.0 GPA from a Washington state public high school and still not get into college?

State graduation requirements have not changed since 1985 and do not match minimum college admissions requirements for many public colleges and universities.

Source: League of Education Voters,
Did You Know Campaign

What do you want to do
to improve student outcomes?

Together, we can do more. We can radically change the trajectory of 20,000 students of color every year. With TAF's programs, they can graduate on-time and college-ready for careers in STEM fields

The Degrees Matter Campaign:
Great Expectations
for Growing Achievement

TAF's Goal:
Every year by the year 2020, TAF will get 20,000 students of color in Washington State public school college-ready for STEM related fields.

By investing in the five areas outlined at the right, we can meet our goal by improving:

• High School graduation rates
• College entrance rates
• The number of Bachelor's degrees conferred on students in Washington

Take a look at our projected results:

For more details about how how we plan to improve educational oucomes for our students read the Degrees Matter prospectus

We invite you to join us by spreading the word and investing with us to make Degrees Matter.

Together, we can radically change the trajectory of 20,000 students of color every year by 2020 and with it:

• Reverse the cycle of poverty and unemployment for young people of color
  
  
• Strengthen the public schools in our communities
  
  
• Ensure a vibrant state economy with a diverse workforce

Thank you for taking the time to learn more.
Together, we CAN make a difference.

Join the Degrees Matter Campaign

We invite you to be a voice for TAF and the Degrees Matter campaign. This is a unique opportunity for you to partner with TAF and dramatically extend the reach of our programs.

For more information about how you or your organization can make Degrees Matter, contact:

Lee Benner
Development Officer
leeb@techaccess.org
(206) 725-9095, Ext 21

TAF's Five Areas of Investment

As partners of public schools and partners in the community, TAF is committed to investing in all of the following areas to ensure the effectiveness of our programs. Each of TAF's programs — TechStart, TAF Academy and the proposed Teach 21 — incorporates most or all of these investment areas.

Academic Support
TAF provides students academic support in core subjects like math, science, and writing.

College Readiness
TAF ensures all students are aware of the benefits of college, are academically college eligible, and are fully prepared for college.

Teacher Professional Development
Well-prepared and innovative teachers who have high standards for every child are the keys to success in the classroom.

Technology
Technology as a tool for teaching and learning is an effective way of bringing resources to the classroom that would not otherwise be attainable.

Job Readiness
Having practical job experience at an early age really brings relevance to what’s being taught in the classroom. It also develops leadership and a high level of responsibility and confidence.

"Catching the kids left behind doesn’t take a rocket scientist. Doing it means our kids can grow up to be one."

Lynne Varner, Seattle Times,
Editorial, June 6, 2007