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PTECH at Hico Secondary, in partnership with Collegiate Edu-Nation, is a program designed to provide our students with a smooth transitional experience to postsecondary education and the workforce. Students will have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma while simultaneously earning an industry-approved certification and even an Associates Degree. Students will be provided with the academic, technical, and professional skills along with credentials that are needed for competitive STEM jobs. Our goal is to provide a pathway from high school to post-secondary education, to employment in the high-need industry areas.
Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) are innovative open-enrollment high schools that allow students least likely to attend college an opportunity to receive both a high school diploma and a credential and/or an associate degree. The hallmark of the P-TECH model is its career focus and the provision of work-based education. P-TECH programs:
Enroll historically underserved students, targeting at-risk and economically disadvantaged
Provide students grade 9 through 12 the opportunity to complete a course of study that combines high school and post-secondary courses
Enable students to earn a high school diploma, along with an associate degree, Level 1 or Level 2 certificate, or industry-based certification within six years
Offer age-appropriate work-based learning opportunity in every grade level
Allow students to gain work experience through an internship, apprenticeship, or other job training program
Align to regional workforce needs, guiding students into high-demand, high-wage careers
Partner with Texas Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) and regional businesses and industries, giving students access to post-secondary education and workforce training opportunities
The P-TECH Blueprint provides foundational principles and standards for innovative partnerships with colleges, universities, and industry. The P-TECH Blueprint contains six benchmarks outlining the design elements that each P-TECH campus must implement before serving students. Additionally, outcome-based measures in Access, Attainment, and Achievement provide guidance for P-TECH program implementation and continuous improvement efforts.