The district may begin providing courses in entrepreneurship, cybersecurity, networking and building trades, Wes Vanicek, chief of construction and future readiness initiatives, said at a Sept. 2 board workshop.
This comes as the district has adopted a goal to increase the percentage of graduates meeting criteria for college, career and military readiness from 79% in June 2025 to 90% by June 2026.
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GISD opened a $97 million Future Ready Learning Complex last school year to expand its career and technical education opportunities, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The new center doubled the district's capacity for some high-demand programs, such as cosmetology and culinary.
This school year, GISD launched an advanced manufacturing and robotics CTE program through a partnership with CelLink Technologies and the Georgetown Manufacturing Alliance.
“Students are getting industry-grade, hands-on experience in manufacturing,” Vanicek said. “There are some of these jobs that kids can come straight out of high school making $50,000 or more as an 18-year-old with a lot of upper mobility in the career.”
Notable quote
“Georgetown ISD is the pinnacle of career and technical education in the state of Texas,” Vanicek said. “CTE in GISD provides students with clear and robust paths to successful and meaningful careers.”
How it works
Each school year, the Texas Education Agency assesses school districts on whether their students are ready to attend college, enter a career or enlist in the military after graduation.
Districts are assessed on how many students meet certain CCMR criteria through their performance on the Texas Success Initiative, participation in dual-credit, OnRamps and Advanced Placement courses as well as completing industry-based certifications and other certificates.
A student is considered career ready if they have completed three or more CTE courses in the same pathway and have received an industry-based certification, Vanicek said.
By the numbers
GISD administered more than 1,900 industry-based certifications last school year—a 53% increase from the 2023-24 school year, according to GISD data.
The district’s CTE program has:
- 24 CTE courses offering industry-based certification in 12 career pathways
- 1,371 students headed toward completion of a CTE program
- A 65% passage rate for industry-based certifications, which is 10% higher than the 2023-24 school year
- A $2.7 million increase in CTE funding since the 2020-21 school year due to enrollment growth and program additions
Students are considered college ready if they receive a 3 out of 5 or higher on exams for AP courses. Last school year, 40% of students who took an AP exam received a 3 or higher, according to GISD information.
The district had an 80% retention rate in its AP, OnRamps and dual-credit courses in the 2024-25 school year.
Going forward
Moving forward, GISD officials will analyze student data, including SAT testing, to improve instruction and curriculum with the goal of furthering college readiness, Vanicek said. The district will provide educators with curricular supports to help students prepare for college entrance exams.
Additionally, the district plans to further communicate with families about the importance of their students being college ready, he said.
"The more of our students who are college ready or literate and numerate at a college-ready level, the better for them regardless of the path that they choose," Vanicek said. "We want to encourage our community [and] our families to take advantage of the opportunities that we have."
