The Communities In Schools (CIS) of Greater Tarrant County has been a major driving force in the development of the county since its establishment in 1992. This organization has grown to serve 72 schools in 11 districts across four counties, and has been instrumental in helping Tarrant County reach its current level of success. In the early days, the CIS expanded to 18 schools and established programs in Everman ISD and Arlington ISD. To better reflect its mission, the Fort Worth CIS changed its name to Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County. The organization celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2020 and continues to provide students with the support they need to stay in school and succeed.
The T3 Alliance, school districts, and institutions of higher education have all worked together to increase the number of Tarrant County residents with a degree or credential. According to Tarrant To & Through Partnership, an organization that supports students through college and career counseling, about 65% of jobs in the county require a post-secondary credential. The Lumina Foundation, an Indianapolis-based organization that works to boost workforce preparedness, recently released a report showing that Tarrant County has the 17th highest rate of return of all 254 counties in Texas. Despite this progress, Tarrant County still lags behind some of the major counties in Texas and the state as a whole. To ensure the highest standards of financial management and reporting, the CIS of Greater Tarrant County provides online access to all financial information, including independent audits and the 1990s.
Nearly 42% of Tarrant County residents have earned industrial-level credentials or at least an associate's degree. At its core, Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County exists to provide a relationship of trust and caring to students who may not otherwise have access to such support. This organization has been instrumental in helping the county reach its current level of success and will continue to be a major force in its development for years to come.
