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EAST CENTRAL ISD outlines cybersecurity CTE expansion, P-TECH planning for new high school
Summary
CTE staff presented a market-backed plan to expand cybersecurity and IT programming districtwide, add early exposure via the School Links career-interest tool, pursue a cybersecurity P-TECH grant, credential staff and phase a P-TECH cohort when High School No. 2 opens.
Lauren, the district's CTE presenter, told trustees the department has spent the last 10â12 months researching cybersecurity and IT pathways and believes the region's labor market demand and local military presence create a clear opportunity for students.
She described the district's new School Links career-interest inventory that gives Kâ 12 students recurring exposure to career paths and said the district now has data to inform counseling and recruitment at earlier grades. Lauren said the district has three current cybersecurity teachers (two at Heritage and one at Legacy) and that recruitment and credentialing for more instructors remains a challenge because industry pay can make teacher hiring difficult.
As part of future planning tied to High School No. 2, the CTE team said it will apply for a P-TECH cybersecurity grant, credential staff, add Principles of IT to eighth grade and phase a ninth-grade cohort in the school-opening year referenced in the transcript as '2829.' Partners mentioned during the presentation included UTSA, Northeast ISD, St. Philip's/SAC and local employers; staff said they had already begun follow-up meetings to design labs and work-based learning options.
Lauren outlined a tentative credentialing and course sequence: principles of IT at middle school, foundations of cybersecurity in ninth grade, networking and a cyber capstone in upper grades, and industry-recognized credentials such as CompTIA Security+ through dual credit pathways. Trustees asked about access, whether phase 1 facilities would sustain future growth and how student choice would guide staffing; staff said phase 2 of the new high school plan includes additional CTE space (not yet bonded) and that enrollment-driven staffing would guide program size.
Staff will continue partner discussions and return with follow-up planning materials and any grant applications or staffing proposals for board consideration.
