The Weekly Update #4

Welcome to a new year of opportunity, growth, and innovation in Career and Technical Education!

At Region 14, our mission is to prepare students for high-wage, high-skill, in-demand careers through high-quality pathways aligned with labor market needs. By integrating advanced academics, expert advising, and cross-sector partnerships, we provide a competitive advantage that connects education to real-world opportunity.

Our vision is a future where every student is empowered with the skills, knowledge, and support to thrive in today’s workforce. Through innovative pathways, strong advising, and engaging partnerships, we aim to be the regional leader in aligning education with economic opportunity and lifelong success.

Meet your Region 14 CTE team:

• Jason Reeves, CTE Consultant jreeves@esc14.net; 675-7023

• Jennifer Seekins, CTE Consultant jseekins@esc14.net; 675-7028

We are here to support you with all things CTE—from programs of study and program evaluations to funding, coding, and everything in between. Whether you're looking for professional development, individual consulting, or customized district workshops, we are ready to assist.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to partnering with you to build powerful pathways for students across our region.

With appreciation,
Region 14 CTE Team
Jason Reeves | Jennifer Seekins

Please take time to congratulate Vicki Hayhurst on her new role with ESC 14! She is now the Associate Director of CFP. We are excited to see Vicki launch into this role and know she is well positioned to serve our districts alongside Emilia Moreno. Vicki will continue to support RPEP in her new role and, as always, is happy to support your needs for Federal Programs (which includes CTE). We are so happy for Vicki in her new role. Please know that Jason and Jennifer will do their very best to answer questions you have about CTE and will continue to expand and support the great work Vicki has done for CTE for many years.

• At the June 2025 SBOE meeting the board approved the final repeal of CTE TEKS in Chapter 130. All CTE TEKS have NOW been moved to Chapter127 effective August 1.
• TEA Modules on the CTE PD (required math and science courses) site are currently down for maintenance. As soon as these are up again, we'll send out more information. These modules are required by any teacher offering a math or science CTE course.
• The preliminary IBC list has been posted to the TEA site, a final list is expected in October. More information about the new IBC list will share shared at ESC 14 CTE Leadership meeting in September.
• NEW Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) have launched. More information can be found on the TEA website.

HB 2 - Allows JROTC to be included as CTE. Also created higher cap for RPEP funding; Allows for IBC reimbursement up to 2 certifications for students; allows for CTE teachers to be reimbursed for certification.

HB 120 -A student is eligible to enroll in a dual credit course at no cost under the FAST program if the student meets FAST eligibility criteria and has graduated from high school but is enrolled in a P-TECH program or an R-PEP program and completing a course of study offered through an articulation agreement or MOU with an Institution of Higher Education (IHE).

HB 20 - The new Applied Science Pathways Program allows school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to enter into articulation agreements with institutions of higher education (IHEs) that enable students to earn a high school diploma and higher education certificates that lead to successful job placement rate in high-wage, high-growth jobs in the several targeted industries.

HB 322 - JET grant funds may now be used to pay costs for the acquisition, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of technology solutions necessary to support the development of new career and technical education (CTE) programs at public junior colleges, public technical institutes, public state colleges, and school districts and open-enrollment charter schools.

**Updates will be further discussed at the upcoming September CTE Leadership meeting.

Fall Workshop and Links:

NEW CTE teacher Cohort; September 16; November 4

Programs of Study Framework and Chpt. 74 REPEAT of Summer Workshop: November 13

Additional Fall workshops:

CTE Administrator Deep Dive: Planning for a Comprehensive K-12 College and Career Readiness Program-CTE Administrator-Deep Dive

Tuesday, October 14 Link to Register

CTE Counselor Deep Dive: Informed and Ongoing CTE Advising for Middle and High School Counselors

Tuesday, October 21 Link to Register

CTE Leadership Tentative Spring Dates:

January 29, 2026

March 10, 2026

New CTE ( 0-5 years experience) Teacher Cohort Tentative Spring Dates:

January 20, 2026

March 3, 2026

TEA Courses for Professional Development

TEA recently refreshed their professional development options for administrators, counselors and teachers.

CTE 101 and CTE 102 are both now available as asynchronous trainings.

Additionally, be sure to look at the other trainings on the TEA professional development site for those teaching math, science, career preparation or practicum courses. Remember, these are required for any teacher in these subjects for which a CTE credit will be given.

Here is what we offer to our Co-Op members:

Co-op will provide:

• Quarterly updates for Career and Technical programs

• State and Federal CTE guidelines

• Yearly updates for Career and Technical programs

• Attendance Accounting Handbook

• Information for regional labor market and career updates

• Unlimited attendance for fall and spring professional development

• Two on-site specialized professional development

• Support for connections with postsecondary institutions

• Support for connections with industry partners

• Support for College, Career, and Military Readiness

• Four on-site days of technical assistance for the following options;

• Methods of Administration Audit support

• Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment

• CTE coding and funding support and evaluation

• CTE program support and evaluation

• Other district needs

Pricing details are available in the Region 14 Services Fee Structure 2025-2026.

Xello has made some updates to their platform that are worth checking out! Be sure to log into your account and check under "Support" and "What's new!". Aside from giving the students platform a change, Xello is working to enhance both the educator and student experience with lessons. Don't miss the upcoming October workshop to learn more!

As always, for immediate support with Xello, reach out the Jennifer Seekins.

jseekins@esc14.net