In a nutshell
RRISD announced it received a $10,000 grant from the Texas Education Agency to add a health sciences Pathways in Technology Early College High School program in early September. It is one of 10 school districts across the state to receive this grant, and the funds will be used to offset expenses for professional development, advisory council meetings and staff necessary to plan the program's implementation. The P-TECH program will be located at Cedar Ridge High School, and will provide opportunities for students to earn certifications and an associate degree.
About the program
Through partnerships with Austin Community College and private industry, the P-TECH health sciences program will allow students to pursue new credentials, dual credit courses and a work-based component for all four years, said Sherri Bonds, RRISD's director of career and technical education.
The program will expand existing but limited course offerings as Bonds said the existing health science pathways across RRISD's five high schools only have the option of high school credit courses, with a work-based learning option during a student's senior year:
- CPR Level I
- CPR Level II
- Clinical medical assistant
- Pharmacy technician
- Certified nurse aid
Applications for the program will open in either the fall 2023 or spring 2024 semester, according to the district.
