Trustees press district on TEKS alignment and scheduling for new Agritech/welding dual-credit plan

District staff and Region 20 presented proposed changes to Agritech and welding dual-credit offerings, outlining a double-block schedule and after-school contact minutes intended to meet college requirements.

Why it matters: Trustees said the proposed schedule could affect students' extracurricular activities and questioned whether the changes would actually lead to Level 1 certifications. The discussion focused on ensuring TEKS alignment with college instruction so students receive both credit and certification.

What was said: A district presenter explained the approach: "When we found the TEKS misalignment, that's what started this whole process," the presenter said, describing a review of TEKS, contact minutes and MOUs with colleges. Trustees pressed whether the plan had been benchmarked against other districts and whether teachers and parents had been fully consulted.

Trustee concerns and district response: Trustees asked whether students would be required to stay after school until 5 p.m. on some days, how that would affect athletes, and whether the college would recognize the contact hours necessary for certification. District staff said the proposal was not finalized and that Region 20 and campus administrators would continue to refine the plan and hold parent and counselor briefings.

Next steps: Staff said they will follow up with additional information on how other districts manage contact minutes and produce implementation details for trustees, including clarifying whether the pathway secures Level 1 certification with college sign-off.