Laredo ISD updates dual‑enrollment and career‑ready specialty schools; district reports increases in college credentials

Laredo ISD presented an update on its Texas College and Career Readiness School Model programs during the Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting in the Amber Urie Boardroom in June. District staff and campus directors described dual‑enrollment participation, outcomes for the class of 2025, and progress toward TEA CCRSM benchmarks.

The presentation, delivered by Monica Calles of the CCMR office, and campus directors from Salas Perez Early College High School, Sigaroa/Sierra P‑TECH, Dennis Cantu Early College High School and other specialty programs, outlined how CCRSM campuses must offer open enrollment, provide college credit at no cost to students, and maintain memoranda of understanding with an institution of higher education (Laredo College). "Empowering minds, shaping futures, and strengthening communities," Calles said while introducing the district's partnership with Laredo College.

The update said dual‑enrollment participation across ninth through 12th grades totaled 3,667 individual students in fiscal year 2024–25, with 8,757 course enrollments districtwide. Presenters said members of the graduating class of 2025 included 104 students who earned Level 1 or Level 2 certificates (an increase of 33 from the prior year) and 146 students who earned associate degrees from Laredo College (an increase of 34). Calles summarized those totals as 250 students who were eligible to "cross the Laredo College graduation stage," which she described as roughly 18 percent of LISD…