Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership Program (R-PEP)

2026 Selection of 2026 R-PEP Planning & Expansion Grant

TEA is pleased to announce the preliminary selection of the 2026 Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) Planning and Expansion Grant. These awards support eligible rural school districts and coordinating entities as they plan, launch, and expand high-quality college and career pathways through regional partnerships that increase student access to rigorous, high-wage, high-demand career opportunities. The 2026 grant program includes both Planning and Expansion grant tracks designed to support partnerships at various stages of R-PEP implementation.

Planning Grant Awardees and Partnering Districts

• ESC Region 10 (Avalon): Avalon, Italy, and Milford
• ESC Region 10 (Gunter): Gunter and Howe
• ESC Region 12 (Evant): Evant and Hamilton
• ESC Region 14: Colorado, Loraine, Ira, Hermleigh, Westbrook, and Roscoe Collegiate
• Fayetteville ISD: Fayetteville, Flatonia, Schulenburg, Moulton, Weimar, Columbus, and Sealy*
• ESC Region 20: Charlotte and Jourdanton
• ESC Region 3: Austwell-Tivoli, Goliad, and Refugio
• ESC Region 13: Lexington, Thrall, Granger, and Thorndale
• Agua Dulce ISD: Agua Dulce and Banquete
• Anderson-Shiro CISD: Anderson-Shiro, Iola, and Richards

Expansion Grant Awardees and R-PEPs

• ESC Region 1: Rio Grande Valley Collaborative Alliance for Rural Education & Employment Resources (RGV-CAREER) 
• ESC Region 1 (Jim Hogg County): Advancing Mutual Integrated Student Training & Development (AMISTAD) 
• ESC Region 16: Northwest Panhandle Innovation Zone (NPIZ) 
• ESC 1 Region 1 (Santa Maria): Building Rural Innovation through Dual Graduate Education (BRIDGE) 
• ESC 1 Region 1 (San Isidro): Leading Innovative Future Technologies (LIFT) 
• Education Partnership of the Permian Basin (EPPB) (Grandfalls-Royalty): Permian Basin Innovation Zone (PBIZ) 
• Education Partnership of the Permian Basin (EPPB) (Alpine): Big Bend Rural Initiative for Success in Education (BB-RISE) 

*indicates collaborating district is over the 1600 student enrollment threshold and will not receive the R-PEP allotment

Future Funding Opportunity

Additional R-PEP Planning and Expansion Grant funding opportunities will be available through the LASO 5 grant cycle, anticipated to open in October 2026. Partnerships interested in pursuing R-PEP designation or expanding existing R-PEP efforts are encouraged to monitor future LASO 5 communications for application information and eligibility requirements.

What is R-PEP?

The Rural Pathway Excellence Partnerships (R-PEP) program allows rural school districts to enter into agreements with other school districts to develop rural college and career pathway partnerships. The goal of the R-PEP program is to increase access to high-quality post-secondary pathways for rural students through multi-district collaboration.

R-PEP Funding Components

1. Additional allotment for designated districts and an R-PEP Outcomes Bonus
2. Grant program to support R-PEP planning and implementation

R-PEP Allotment Information

1. All participating districts must have fewer than 1,600 students in Average Daily Attendance (ADA).
2. Districts must approve a performance agreement with an eligible coordinating entity.
3. The performance agreement must meet all TEA requirements.
4. The coordinating entity must submit an application and be approved for R-PEP Designation.
5. Meet all requirements stated in TEC 29.912, TEC 48.118, and other relevant Commissioner rules.

Rural Pathway Excellence Partnerships

Current Rural Pathway Excellence Partnerships (R-PEPs)

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