In a unanimous 7‑0 vote on Sept. 24, the Tarrant County College (TCC) Board of Trustees approved a $1.04 million partnership with the Tarrant County Local Workforce Development Board. The agreement will fund free adult‑education classes that help residents learn English, earn a high‑school equivalency credential such as the GED, or train for in‑demand jobs.
Program reach and goals
The college expects to serve 745 adults through June 2027 in Tarrant, Johnson, Hood, Erath and Somervell counties. Zarina Blankenbaker, TCC’s vice chancellor for student success, said the initiative provides a vital entry point to both education and economic opportunity for families seeking a better future.
Adults as young as 16 may qualify for the Adult Education and Literacy program if they need help with basic academic or English skills. Eligibility rules vary by age. Participants can prepare for the GED, improve English proficiency, or take specialized English courses designed for those who earned degrees abroad and wish to work in their field or transition to a new career.
Employer‑based classes and vocational pathways
TCC will also bring some classes directly to employer sites, tailoring instruction to the specific English, math, reading and writing needs of workers. Through the Adult Vocational Academy, learners can combine basic education with job‑training that leads to credentials in fields such as medical and dental assisting, patient care and welding. The academy is free for eligible adults 18 and older.
Education outreach director Jennifer Schmidt explained that each student begins with a skills assessment and goal‑setting session. “They establish goals and explore education and training opportunities,” she said. “Throughout the program, instructors provide opportunities to review and update the student’s goals and identify next steps toward workforce training or employment.”
Track record and community partnerships
In the 2025 program year, TCC served 771 adults, awarding 436 job credentials and 66 high‑school equivalency credentials. Board President Jeannie Deakyne asked why the college is serving counties beyond Tarrant. Schmidt responded that the program’s strong performance and the loss of another provider prompted the expansion to four additional counties.
TCC collaborates with Fort Worth ISD, Arlington Public Library, Goodwill North Central Texas, the Tarrant Literacy Coalition and various workforce agencies to deliver these services. The college notes it has received an annual adult‑education grant for more than two decades, underscoring a long‑standing commitment to lifelong learning in the region.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
