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ECISD says CTE enrollment and dual‑credit participation are rising; 51% of CCMR met through dual credit
Summary
District CTE leaders reported 30 programs of study, expanded program offerings for the new CTE center and a notable dual‑credit result: 51% of students met the college, career and military readiness (CCMR) indicator through dual credit—28.2 percentage points above the state average.
Ector County ISD’s career and technical education leaders told the board Jan. 21 that the district offers 30 CTE programs of study, is expanding program offerings for a forthcoming CTE center and is seeing strong dual‑credit participation that contributes to students meeting the college, career and military readiness (CCMR) indicator.
“We proudly offer 30 programs of study,” Ryan Merritt, executive director of CTE, told trustees. Merritt and CTE staff reviewed program locations across the district, describing satellite campuses used for heavy‑lab programs and partnerships with Odessa College.
Marcy Tombowski, director of dual credit development, presented enrollment graphs showing growth in dual‑credit participation since 2018. “Fifty‑one percent of the ECISD students earned their CCMR point through dual credit,” she said, adding that the district’s CCMR‑via‑dual‑credit rate is 28.2 percentage points higher than the Texas state average.
Officials described how dual credit is delivered across multiple sites: Odessa High School and Permian High School each send students to satellite campuses that host lab‑intensive work (Frost Technical Center, OC Sewell Auto Tech Center, Ag Forum, New Tech Odessa and Odessa College dual‑credit academies). The district said roughly 2,260 students are transported daily to satellite campuses and that the district runs about 51 routes to support CTE travel; the district acknowledged a driver shortage is constraining capacity.
Renee Barrientes (identified in materials as the CTE dean) described logistics: “2,260 students are moved every day,” she said, and explained the district’s administrative rule encouraging students to use district buses for safety and instructional consistency; hardship exceptions are considered.
The presentation highlighted new programs planned for the CTE center—automation, machining, supply chain and logistics—selected after a gap analysis that reviewed regional labor market reports and a targeted‑occupations list from the Permian Basin workforce board. Merritt said advisory committees included industry partners, representatives from Odessa College and members of the Permian Strategic Partnership. Presenters said the district is coordinating with Odessa College so students can earn level‑1 certificates and in some cases associate degrees while in high school.
Dual‑credit access was discussed in practical terms: students may start some dual‑credit courses at about age 14 (non‑TSI‑liable courses), and must meet TSI requirements before enrolling in other core dual‑credit courses. CTE leaders said Odessa College staff are working with the district on equipment lists and credentialing so students can earn certificates aligned to regional employer needs.
Leaders closed by describing career placement events that connect graduating CTE seniors with employers for internships and job offers; district staff said hospitals and other employers have already hired or placed students for work or internships this school year.
The board took no additional action on the program report; trustees thanked staff and community partners for their work.
