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General P-TECH Program Information
Pathways in Technology Early College High School - PTECH
C.R.S. 22-35.3-101-105
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P-TECH School Specifications Overview Chart
Requirements
Must be a public school or a program in a high school that includes up to 6 years of high school, designed to prepare students for high-potential careers in industry by enabling them to graduate with a high school diploma and an industry-recognized associate degree. Students may also earn pre-apprenticeship certificates and other industry-recognized certificates in addition to an associate degree.
Grade Levels
P-TECH is for students beginning in the ninth grade and can continue for up to six years (i.e. high school and two equivalent years of college).
Student Population
All students w/special focus on socio-economically/racially diverse; 1st generation; English language learners; students with disabilities.
Separate School of Program Within Existing School
Can be a stand-alone school with its own school code, or a program within an existing high school using existing school’s code.
Academic Expectations
- High school diploma + high-grown industry recognized associate degree.
- Industry recognized pre-apprenticeship and other certificates can be earned in addition to associate degree.
- Must have a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) focus that is informed by current and projected industry standards.
- Must receive workplace experiences and training (mentoring, job shadowing, internships, pre-apprenticeship training).
Required Partnerships
School district, charter school, BOCES (that operate a high school) + Colorado community college* + one or more local high-growth industry employers (preference given to employers that are certified center of learning).
* "Community college" means a community college governed by the state board for community colleges and occupational education or a state-supported institution of higher education or local district college that is authorized to grant associate degrees [per 22-35.3-102(4)]
Partner Responsibilities
District/Charter/BOCES:
- At a minimum, provide course work, counseling, and student support services, as well as provisions relating to instructor qualifications with community colleges.
- Communicate and share decision-making with community college and employer regarding school operations.
Community College:
- At a minimum, provide course work, counseling, and student support services, as well as provisions relating to instructor qualifications with districts/charters/BOCES.
- Communicate and share decision-making with local education provider employer regarding school operations.
Industry Employer
- Provide workplace experiences and training (mentoring, job shadowing, internships, pre-apprenticeship training).
- Consult with the local education provider and community college on course design.
- Work with community college to ensure that course and post-secondary program competencies meet wider industry expectations as well as the needs of the partner employer(s)
Communicate and share decision-making with local education provider and community college regarding school operations.
Funding
- Years 1-4 = district/charter school PPR
- Years 5-6 = State-based PPR
- Students are eligible to allocate the College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend per college credit hour taken.
- Students enrolled in their 5th or 6th year of high school at a PTECH school or program are eligible for full-time funding if they are scheduled for a minimum of one class in the semester of the pupil enrollment count date.
Enrollment Requirements
Please refer to the PTECH section of the:Student October Count Audit Resource Guide
Graduation Rate Reporting
Reporting Requirements
Accountability
Please refer to the PTECH section of the:Student October Count Audit Resource Guide
Application Process
Submit to Colorado Department of Education (CDE) no later than December 1st to begin operation the following fall.
Review and Determination
Education and Training Committee (CWDC) reviews application and provides recommendation to Commissioner of Education & Executive Director of the Department of Higher Education for joint approval.
Possible joint decisions: 1) approved; 2) minor changes needed; 3) denied (may reapply).
Click here to go to P-TECH Application, Eligibility and Reporting page.
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