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Board approves new General Employability Skills CTE credit for 7th–8th graders starting 2025–26
Summary
Trustees approved replacing Career Investigations with General Employability Skills for seventh- and eighth-graders; the course will carry one high-school credit and qualifies for CTE tier funding.
The Lamar CISD board voted April 15 to approve a new career and technical education course, General Employability Skills, for seventh- and eighth-grade students beginning in the 2025–26 school year.
District staff said the proposed course replaces the existing Career Investigations class and adds two policy changes: students will earn one high-school credit for completing the course, and the class will be eligible for career and technical education (CTE) funding under the state’s tiered formula.
"General employability skills would be a tier 1 course," District presenter Dr. Lazar said in the presentation. He explained the change would raise per-student weighted funding from the current Career Investigations level, producing an estimated additional revenue of almost $94,000 based on current enrollment in the class and the district’s assumptions.
The presentation outlined how CTE funding is calculated (FTEs multiplied by the basic allotment and a tier weight) and listed uses for CTE revenue, including CTE teacher salaries, equipment (for example, welders or culinary supplies), certifications, professional development and travel for competitions.
Trustees approved the motion to adopt General Employability Skills; the motion was made by Vice President Hatzel and seconded by Trustee Danziger. The vote was unanimous.
The district projected the course will expand students’ earlier exposure to career pathways and allow them to begin earning high-school credit sooner. Implementation aligns with the district’s strategic priority for career readiness.
