AUSTIN –Commissioner of Education Mike Morath today announced that 22 Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) and Industry Cluster Innovative Academics (ICIA) schools have been awarded a total of $2.9 million in Planning and Success Grant funding.

Utilizing partnerships with higher education institutions and local employers, the P-TECH and ICIA programs offer classes which allows students to obtain a high school diploma, an associate’s degree, and work experience that provide students greater opportunities and priority when entering the workforce following completion of the program.

“These new P-TECH and innovative Academies continue to add to the growing opportunities for our Texas students by providing a seamless path from high school to postsecondary education to employment,” Commissioner of Education Mike Morath said. “This funding also benefits the local business communities by building a more marketable and better prepared workforce.”

P-TECH and ICIA campuses are public schools, which provide students with a work-based education. Within six years, the program enables students in grades 9-12 who are at risk of dropping out, or who wish to accelerate completion of high school, a chance to gain work experience through internships, apprenticeships, or other job training programs, as well as combine high school and college-level courses. Through rigorous academic and work-based programs, P-TECH and ICIA campuses provide students a clear pathway to skilled employment opportunities while also responding to local workforce needs

The following 10 School Districts are the selected award recipients of the 2019-2020 P-TECH and ICIA Planning Grant: Austin ISD, Brooks Academy of Science and Engineering, Buckholts ISD, Community ISD, Culberson County-Alamore ISD, Edcouch-Elsa ISD, Raymondville ISD, San Antonio ISD, Throckmorton Collegiate ISD, Wharton ISD.

The following 12 School Districts are the selected award recipients of the 2019-2021 P-TECH and ICIA Success Grant: Brooks County ISD, Brownsville ISD, Everman ISD, Fort Worth ISD, Fruitvale ISD, Lytle ISD, Monte Alto ISD, Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy, Priority Charter Schools, Richardson ISD, San Antonio ISD, San Saba ISD.

For more information about these programs, visit https://tea.texas.gov/PTECH.

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