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Venus ISD updates board on CTE/P‑TECH growth, student certifications and labor‑market alignment
Summary
District staff told the board that Venus ISD has expanded career and technical education offerings, is participating in P‑TECH programs, and reported student industry certifications, dual‑credit hours and labor‑market data to align programs with regional employment opportunities.
District staff presented a detailed update on career and technical education (CTE) and Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P‑TECH) programs, telling the board that program participation, industry certifications and dual‑credit attainment have grown.
The presenter said that, of 701 students at Venus High School, 619 were enrolled in at least one CTE weighted course and 345 were enrolled in two or more (data pulled April 29). At Venus Middle School, staff reported 85 of 438 seventh and eighth graders enrolled in at least one CTE weighted course, with 12 enrolled in two or more.
The district reported it offers seven of 14 state recognized career clusters and nine programs of study, with five programs embedding P‑TECH pathways. Staff said the district applied for Perkins (Perkins V) funding and conducted a program review through CTAT; recommendations included establishing an industry advisory board, upgrading facilities, and auditing program equipment and reimbursement processes.
District staff supplied labor‑market data from CareerCraft showing the local 45‑minute labor shed’s largest sectors as health care and social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation and food services, and projected regional job growth in transportation and warehousing, professional, scientific and technical services, and health care.
Staff also reported a range of student outcomes and certifications this year: 26 students earned Basic Arc Welding certification, 22 earned Adobe Visual Design credentials, seven earned Autodesk certificates, seven earned floral certifications, 29 earned D9.9 sheet‑metal welding certifications, six earned Elanco veterinary medical applications certifications, and one student passed the certified veterinary assistant exam. For dual credit, the presenter said the freshmen (class of 2028) had collectively earned 249 college credit hours and the sophomores (class of 2027) had earned 557 hours to date.
Officials said the district intends to expand offerings (including investigation of a health‑care pathway), start a CTE/P‑TECH advisory board, grow middle‑school career exploration, and add new CTE classes at both the high school and middle school. Staff noted that starting high‑cost health‑care CTE pathways would require approved teacher full‑time equivalents (FTEs), appropriate facilities and startup equipment.
The board asked questions about whether the district plans to add health‑care programs; staff said it is a goal but requires FTE approval, space and an investment in equipment such as hospital beds and IV training rigs. Staff said Perkins and other grant funding and facility plans from a recent bond could inform program expansion.
The presentation emphasized that the district’s CTE students are earning industry‑recognized credentials and that work‑based learning and practicum placements have led to part‑time employment offers for students.
No board motion to create or fund a new CTE pathway was recorded during the meeting; the presentation concluded with staff suggesting next steps to implement CTAT recommendations and form an industry advisory board.
