Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Adult Highschool topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Region 1, South Texas College outline plans to restore adult high‑school program and workforce pathways
Summary
Education leaders asked San Benito ISD and the city to partner on reopening an 18–26 adult high‑school diploma program modeled on a successful Region 1 initiative, with college and trade pathways and supports such as childcare and targeted outreach to re‑engage students who dropped out during the pandemic.
Representatives from Region 1 and South Texas College on Wednesday urged San Benito leaders to revive an adult high‑school model that issues high‑school diplomas (not GEDs) and pairs classroom work with college credit and industry certifications.
Dr. King, who said he launched the model in 2007 and later helped other South Texas districts reopen similar programs, described an approach he called “Countdown to 0” that targets 18‑ to 26‑year‑olds who left school before graduating. “We graduated in 12 years almost 3,000 18 to 26 year olds,” he said, and argued the model reduces crime, improves school discipline and provides job training opportunities.
The program as described would be district‑run, operate on a half‑day morning and afternoon schedule to qualify for state hour‑based funding, and be structured as a separate campus when possible so the state accountability system credits growth on repeated assessments. Dr. King emphasized direct instruction, small class sizes (often 8–15 students), stipends or incentives for teachers, and partnerships with colleges and workforce boards for childcare, internships and trade credentials. “This is not a GED program. It’s a high‑school diploma program,” he said.
Representatives from South Texas College said the college can provide industry certificates, apprenticeships and paid training that can be coordinated with a district program. Carlos Margo, dean of workforce training at STC, described existing apprenticeships and noncredit workforce classes, and noted some local pilots already train high‑school students on the job in plumbing, HVAC and facilities maintenance.
Board and city officials discussed next steps, including a school‑board decision to authorize a district program, local outreach to identify missing young people, and leveraging workforce, child‑care and philanthropic supports for start‑up costs. Dr. King also described a nonprofit subchapter G adult charter effort he’s developing to serve ages up to 50 in Hidalgo, Cameron and Webb counties; he said operational funding depends on average daily attendance once students are enrolled.
Officials did not adopt any formal commitment during the meeting; Dr. King and STC representatives were invited to follow up with district staff to scope possible partnerships, sites and funding sources.
Why it matters: Restoring a diploma‑granting program for older students ties education policy to local workforce and economic development goals. The model the speakers described aims to export existing grant and state funding mechanisms into hours‑based and attendance‑funded programming, and to connect students to trade certifications and apprenticeships that local employers seek.
What’s next: Dr. King and South Texas College will work with district staff and local partners to define a program model, identify site and staffing needs, and return with more detailed cost and operational proposals.
