The pathway for historically underrepresented students in higher education and high-demand, high-wage jobs just got a lot smoother. Thanks to a $356,467 grant from the Greater Texas Foundation, Pathways of Promise, a new initiative led by E3 Alliance, is the first in the state of Texas to take a deep look at career and technology education (CTE) programming. The goal of the initiative is to determine critical components that correspond with successful post-secondary outcomes and to increase the percentage of students who earn an industry certificate, succeed and persist in post-secondary enrollment and secure entry-level employment with better wage outcomes.
From February 2014 to December 2015, Round Rock ISD, San Marcos ISD, Bastrop ISD and Austin ISD will partner with E3 Alliance to identify promising practices in Central Texas to develop recommendations for improving CTE pathways across the region and reform practice across the state. The program will have an in-depth research component as well as a professional development part for school staff and counselors to continuously improve the counseling that students receive about their career opportunities. There will also be an alignment of high school and higher education career pathways to ensure a smooth and clear transition.
