Venus ISD staff updated the board on the district’s P‑TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) program at the Oct. 20 meeting, reporting current enrollment, associate‑degree progress, academic support strategies and an upcoming advisory meeting.

The district reported 127 designated P‑TECH students in grades 9–11. By cohort the district said 35 students are in the eleventh‑grade cohort (three programs of study that year: welding, teaching and cybersecurity), 42 in the tenth‑grade cohort (five programs) and 50 in ninth grade (five programs: welding, teaching, cybersecurity, criminal justice and animal science).

Staff said 13 eleventh‑grade students and 32 tenth‑grade students are on track to graduate with an associate’s degree; ninth graders are beginning college classes. District staff described supports for students who miss early TSI benchmarks: summer bridge programs, extended instruction and Tarleton Today, a dual‑enrollment option that lets students take a college math course stretched over a year so they can earn college credit and meet TSI‑equivalency by passing the class.

Program staff explained TSI timing varies by program: students in cybersecurity, teaching and animal science are expected to have ELAR and writing complete by the end of ninth grade; welding and criminal justice have later ELAR/writing deadlines (end of 11th grade). Staff said Tarleton Today (a Tarleton State dual‑enrollment offering) has allowed many students to meet math requirements without passing the separate TSI math test and provides extended instructional support.

The district described P‑TECH’s provisional designation phase (2023–28) and said it plans to meet TEA blueprint expectations ahead of applying for formal designation after the first P‑TECH cohort graduates. Staff announced a P‑TECH advisory board meeting for community and industry partners at 10 a.m. Nov. 13 at the Venus High School library and invited public attendance.

No formal board action was taken on program operations at the meeting.