Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH)
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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 provisionÌýofÌýwork-based education. P-TECH programs:
- Enroll historically underserved students, targeting at-risk and economically disadvantagedÌý
- 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,Ìýor 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 implementationÌýand continuous improvement efforts.Ìý
P-TECHÌýBlueprint Revision 2021-2022
Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ (TEA) is in the process of revising the current P-TECHÌýBlueprint. During the fall of 2020, a P-TECHÌýLandscape survey was released for public feedback. In the spring and summer of 2021, the TEA held 12 P-TECHÌýfocus groups from February until June to dig into the strengths and challenges of the design of the P-TECHÌýBlueprint and input on the current OBMS. The recommendations of each focus group will be balanced against the needs of various stakeholders across the state. A public comment period will be available for all stakeholders to review the revised P-TECHÌýBlueprint in late fall 2021 to early spring 2022. More information will be provided through the CCRSM network and newsletter.Ìý
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Learn more about becoming a Designated P-TECHÌýCampus.
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The Learning Community is a network for our CCRSM campuses to interact.
This dynamic tool provides products and resources aligned to the P-TECH Blueprint.
Description:
The following laws and rules related to P-TECH programs are available below:
- General Appropriations Act, Article III, Rider 66, 86th Texas Legislature, 2019
- .ÌýChapter 102 Educational Programs Subchapter GG.ÌýCommissioner's Rules Concerning Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools.
Description:
Under the authority of the Texas Education Code and the Texas Administrative Code , the TEA developed a designation process for the Pathways in Technology Early College High SchoolÌýprogram.Ìý This designation process ensures that public school districts, local education agencies (LEAs),Ìýand charter schools operating P-TECH campuses maintain the integrity of the model, which was researched and designated to target and serve students who might not otherwise attend college.Ìý
Nearly 6,500 students are served by P-TECH schools. Texas is home to 62Ìýdesignated P-TECH Schools and has 19Ìýplanning campusesÌýfor the 2019-2020 academicÌýyear. Access to the CCRSM interactive map to locate P-TECHs across Texas .Ìý
Description:
To launch a P-TECH program, a district must submit a Planning Year Application to be eligible to open a new P-TECH campus, become a member of the the of the TEA's official planning year cohort, and beginÌýserving students the following academic year.Ìý
The P-TECH Planning Year Application is open throughout the fall semester. Eligible Districts are notified of their status in the spring to provide 12-18 months of P-TECH planning. Over the course of the planning year, the P-TECH leadership team will receive technical assistance to meet P-TECH Blueprint requirements via an assigned technical assistance coach. By the end of the planning year, all design elements contained in the six Benchmarks should be embedded into school structures.Ìý
After meeting the design elements of the P-TECH Blueprint, the P-TECH is ready to serve students and may apply for Provisional Designation.ÌýNew P-TECHs remain Provisional for four years and are held accountable to Provisional Outcomes-Based Measures (OBM) during this time. The TEA will provide technical assistance to the P-TECH leadership team to promote implementation of the P-TECH model with fidelity. Each year, the TEA will provide OBM data for informational purposes, throughout the Provisional phase so that P-TECHs can respond to challenges and be ready to meet Designated P-TECH OBM criteria.Ìý
At the end of the 4th year, the P-TECH must apply for Designation status and must meet the state's Designated OBM criteria. TEA requires Designation renewal annually for each P-TECH campus.Ìý
Note: TEA is currently in a phase-in process for the new P-TECH Blueprint. All data are for informationÌýand planning purposes only. This information will not be used to determine designation status.Ìý
- (PDF)
Description:
Texas is home to 79 Designated Pathways in Technology Early College High SchoolsÌýwho qualify for HB 3 incentive funding in 2020-2021.
For more information regarding the New Tech Campuses who qualify for HB3 incentive funding in 2020-2021, see .
Description:
The Pathways in Technology (P-TECH) Advisory Council established in TEC §29.552 (SB 22, 85th Texas Legislature, 2017) has members appointed by the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker. The appointees represent school districts/open-enrollment charter schools, institutions of higher education, and business and industry. The Advisory Council is charged with making recommendations to the Commissioner of Education on:
- the establishment and administration of the P-TECH program; and
- the criteria for a campus's designation as a P-TECH school under Section 29.556.
P-TECH Advisory Council Meeting Agenda (PDF), MarchÌý9, 2020
P-TECH Advisory Council Meeting Agenda (PDF), April 19, 2018
PDFS:
Related Content
- 2020-21ÌýP-TECH Blueprint (PDF)Ìý
- P-TECH PEIMS Indicator Code (PDF)
- Multi-Model PEIMS Indicator Code (PDF)
- How to Read Your OBM Report (PDF)
College, Career, and Military Prep
Postsecondary Preparation Programs
1701 N. Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
Email:ÌýCCRSM@tea.texas.gov