ESC Region 14 CTE Newsletter

Connecting Region 14 students to high-demand, high-wage careers in Texas.

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CTE Leadership Trainings - for CTE directors, counselors, and administrators.Topics include legislative updates, partner connections, best practices, and more.

📅 February 24 Register

CTE Administrator Deep Dives

🆕 📅 March 5 | Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment Overview | Google Meet 9-10:30 am | Register

Of note: TEA has released the updated 2026-2027 CLNA Guidebook. The CLNA should be posted within eGrants very soon. (SC5600 Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment). The Perkins V Summary Report, 2023-2024 and the Perkins V Supplemental Report, 2023-2024 have been posted in CTER. These reports will be needed to complete the CLNA.

CTE Administrator Checklist of Monthly Responsibilities

🔀CTE Counselor Deep Dive - MS/HS informed and ongoing CTE Advising

Designed for new and experienced secondary administrators and counselors, providing a wealth of knowledge, up-to-date information, and best practices. Included are the latest insights regarding legislation, resources, and labor market needs 🔛 TEALearn Website. All the TEALearn professional development courses are good through August 31, 2026.

NEW CTE Teacher Cohort Trainings - The cohort is designed to give support to teachers in learning about instructional strategies, classroom management, TEA CTE updates, and the everyday challenges of creating a quality CTE program. Training will take place at ESC 14.

📅 March 3 - Register

Required Professional Development - All teachers assigned to a CTE course that qualifies for:

• Math or science credit, or Career Preparation or Practicum course

...are required to participate in the Texas Education Agency-approved training prior to teaching the course 🔛 TEALearn Website.

House Bill 20, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, establishes the Applied Sciences Pathway Program in Texas Education Code, §29.914. This program is designed to provide students in grades 11 and 12 with enhanced opportunities to concurrently earn a high school diploma and a Level I or II certificate or credential of value from an institution of higher education (IHE) in high-wage, high-growth industries.

School systems within Texas, with approval from TEA, may substitute college-level CTE program courses for courses that satisfy high school graduation requirements, provided they substantially cover the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Program implementation will begin with the 2026-2027 school year. The Applied Sciences Pathway Program Application for the 2026-2027 school year opened January 15, 2026, and closes May 15, 2026.

Learn More For more information, see the Applied Sciences Pathway Program webpage. Additional program application and implementation details will be shared in a 🧑🏻‍💻 webinar on February 18, 2026, from 9:00-10:00 a.m. CST. If you have a question you would like to have addressed during the webinar, submit it here. School system and education service center staff may use this link to submit their professional email address by February 13, 2026, to register for the webinar.

The Texas Education Agency posted the updated program of study frameworks on the CTE webpage. Updated frameworks also include approved Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs) from the final 2025-30 Industry-Based Certification List for Public School Accountability, which may be found on the Industry-Based Certification webpage. Each framework is available as a PDF for reference and in an editable PowerPoint format, allowing school staff the opportunity to customize their individual offerings.

Updated - 📚CTE Course Catalog With Texas Student Data System PEIMS Code and Descriptions: Change Document, Updated Fall 2025

Updated -🚶Programs of Study Change Crosswalk, September 2025

Updated -🔖CTE Course Catalog, September 2025

The January TAAG meeting continued work toward the 2028 accountability refresh. To view the January TAAG meeting minutes and materials, please visit the Accountability System Development website.

Quick Highlights: 2028 Accountability Refresh

• New Military Readiness Standard: To earn CCMR credit, students must now achieve an AFQT score of 31+ AND complete a JROTC program. Submit in PEIMS.

• Updating How CCMR Indicators are Weighted

Following House Bill 8, the TEA is looking at weighting CCMR indicators differently based on how well they predict student success after high school.

• The Proposal: The current plan includes a 5% cap on "Tier 3" Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs).
• Work in Progress: While the new framework is clearer, TAAG has requested more research before finalizing the 2028 weighting methodology.

Join on February 19 at 9:00 a.m. for the Accountability Tools Webinar! Upcoming webinar focused on Accountability Tools designed to support districts and campuses in understanding the accountability systems, tools to analyze data, tools to set goals and tools to monitor progress. This session will offer a guided walkthrough of TEA‑developed tools and trackers, explain their purpose, and highlight how they can be used throughout the year to drive continuous improvement. This session is ideal for district and campus leaders, accountability staff, data analysts, and anyone responsible for supporting local decision-making through performance data. We look forward to your participation. Register to attend today! Note: To register, users must have or create a free Zoom account.

TEA has released a new suite of CTE reports designed to streamline your program planning. These resources provide a comprehensive look at student progress for grades 9–12 and recent graduates, specifically tracking:

• CTE Status Reports: Summarizing the highest participation levels for all students.

• Programs of Study Reports: Highlighting counts of concentrators and completers.

• IBC Reports: Detailed data on Industry-Based Certifications earned by both current students and graduates.

These tools are essential for evaluating program health and ensuring your campus meets state accountability standards. Link to CTE Additional Resources

New Submission Guidelines for 2025–26 To align with recent TAA guidance, please note the split in IBC reporting windows:

• September 1 – May 31: Report these earned IBCs during the standard PEIMS summer submission.

• June 1 – August 31 (New): Starting with the 2025-26 school year, certifications earned in the summer must be reported via the PEIMS extended year submission.

Data Retention Reminder: As these are self-reported figures, districts are required to maintain all supporting documentation for at least five years.

Source: November 20, 2025 TAA

Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs) are a critical component of the Student Achievement domain under TEC §39.053. These certifications ensure our graduates are truly equipped for the workforce, military, or postsecondary success.

What’s Changing for 2025-2026:

• Expanded Opportunities: The new list features 523 certifications—a significant increase from the previous 309—giving districts more flexibility to align with local programs of study.

• Official List Released: The final 2025-30 list of industry-based certifications (IBCs) is now live on the TEA Industry-Based Certifications page. This list takes effect this school year and will impact accountability ratings in August 2027.

• Introduction of Tiers: Every IBC is now assigned a Tier to help school systems identify high-value pathways. While these tiers are great for current program planning, they will not impact accountability ratings until 2028.

Understanding the "Sunsetting Cap" As we transition to the new list, the 2022–2025 IBCs will begin to sunset. According to the Accountability Rating System Manual for 2026 Ratings, a "Sunsetting Cap" will apply in 2027.

The Rule: A campus can count no more than five graduates or 20% of its total graduates (whichever is greater) toward CCMR credit if those students meet the criteria solely by earning a sunsetting IBC. For a full breakdown of affected certifications, see Appendix J - IBCs.

Learn More-🧑🏻‍🎓TEA's IBC Website

Review- 🚸ESC 14 Accountability + School Improvement SMORE: November | October

Reallocation amounts for the 2025-2026 Perkins V: Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Grant Application have been made available in eGrants. Entitlement information is available on the Grant Allocations and Award Balances page.

No action is required by the grantee at this time. TEA staff will initiate adjustments to the largest budgeted class/object code to incorporate the reallocation amounts. The grantee’s approved budget, reflected on Schedule BS6001 — Program Budget Summary and Support, will be the sum of the final amount and reallocation amount.

Once the reallocation process is completed, the grantee will receive email notification of revisions to program budgets with the revised Notice of Grant Award (NOGA) attached to that email. Until those email notifications and attachments are distributed, TEA requests that school systems and ESCs not submit any amendments to claim the reallocation funding.

Amendments

If necessary, once a grantee receives email notification of the revised budget and NOGA, the grantee may file an amendment to revise the budget entered by TEA staff. Please refer to When to Amend the Application on the Amending an Application page to determine whether an amendment is necessary. The deadline to submit amendments is 11:59 p.m. Central Time, May 18, 2026.

For Further Information

For any grant-related questions, please contact the Grants Administration Division at (512) 463-8525, or grants@tea.texas.gov. For questions about the grant application, contact your assigned negotiator listed on the Grants Administration Contacts page.

Is your CTE equipment up to date? Apply by March 6 to fund repairs or new purchases.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has released RFA 32026-00026, specifically for Dual Credit Equipment. This grant is designed to help Texas schools and colleges purchase, repair, or replace the machinery and tools needed to keep CTE programs running at industry standards.

To qualify, your Dual Credit CTE program must:

• Lead to an industry-recognized license or credential.

• Have the documented support of at least one Texas employer.

• Align with "Target Occupations" identified by your Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB).

Who Can Apply?

• Texas Independent School Districts (ISDs)

• Public Junior Colleges

RFA eligibility requirements, submission instructions, and additional information can be viewed on the Texas Workforce Commission Procurement Portal on the “Open Public Opportunities” tab.

Close Date:Mar 6th 2026, 10:00 AM CST

NCCER’s High School Builder Program (HSBP) is a turnkey solution for helping schools start or grow construction CTE programs.

• Ready-to-Go Curriculum: A comprehensive mix of rigorous theory and hands-on lab training.

• Industry Credentials: Students earn recognized NCCER certifications that translate directly to the job site.

• Funding Friendly: Fully aligns with Perkins V requirements and Texas state funding guidelines.

• Career Ready: Includes career exploration tools to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workforce.

Get Started: Connect with the NCCER Team to see how HSBP can scale your construction pathway.

The HMAC Scholarship Program is offering a unique educational opportunity that introduces an exciting career path to applicants: helping build Texas’ infrastructure. Whether you’re a high school senior in search of a job after graduation or someone who is seeking a new professional challenge, the HMAC Scholarship offers you the chance to be trained, certified, and employable after a 10-day immersive experience at our Training & Certification Center. Upon successful program completion and certification, we will connect you directly with top employers in your area. We welcome applicants who are responsible, curious, and driven to apply and let us provide a launchpad for your future in the asphalt pavement industry.

Program Details - See Flyer

What: 10-Day Level 1A, Level 1B, and SB102 Training & Certification Course

Value: $6,650 (includes hotel, food reimbursement, and cost of training and certification courses)

Where: HMAC building in Buda, TX

When: June 8-19, 2026

Information Videos: Here and Here

Contact: Josh Whitehead <jwhitehead@texasasphalt.org>

You are invited to the 2nd annual Esports tournament at the AISD LIFT on Saturday, March 21st. Get ready for a day filled with thrilling competition, camaraderie, and plenty of gaming excitement!

Tournament Details

Games Featured:

• Super Smash Bros Ultimate Solos

• Rocket League (3v3)

• Fortnite Zone Wars (2v2)

Registration

To secure your spot in the tournament, please sign up using the following link: Tournament Signup.

Equipment and Facilities

• We have 16 gaming PCs ready for the Fortnite and Rocket League tournaments.

• For Super Smash Bros Ultimate, we will provide Nintendo Switch consoles with all DLC.

• Players are encouraged to bring their own controllers and headsets to ensure the best personal gaming experience.

Lunch and Sponsors - Thanks to our generous sponsor, Taylor Telecom, lunch will be provided for all players.

Location

Join us at the LIFT for a day of gaming fun and competition. We look forward to seeing you there and making this event a great success together. If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out. Let's make this tournament an unforgettable experience for everyone involved!

A scholarship program that offers an “Annual” scholarship to graduating seniors, those in technical school and even students currently in a four-year college program. We also offer scholarships to an incoming student or currently enrolled student at a technical school or university that exhibits a need for scholarship assistance in obtaining tools and equipment in relation to the “tool list” as provided by the technical school for a construction-related degree program or course of study. Scholarship applications submitted by the March 31, 2026 deadline will be reviewed in the coming months and the recipients will be contacted this summer.

SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES AND PARAMETERS | 2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION | ONLINE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

The 2026 applications open Dec. 1, 2025. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on March 2, 2026.

Application details and requirements for each scholarship here. For questions related to scholarships, contact youthactivities@txfb.org or call 254.751.2258.

The Texas High School Welding Series will be hosting an all-girl welding contest at The Alief Center for Advanced Careers on March 28, 2026. This contest is designed to encourage collaboration and mentorship between women in the welding industry and help high school ladies earn an industry-based certification. Industry partners, vendors, and trade schools are being quite generous, as this will be a great event. Please contact Jon Paulk for additional information. Registration is available at TX.WeldingSeries.com | Registration Instructions

Jon Paulk | Alief Center for Advanced Careers | Welding I, II and Practicum TSTC Dual Credit

ASNT RP-SNT-TC-1A Visual Welding Inspector Level IIr

NCCER Certified Educator

Office # 281-988-3550 Ext. 43049

Thanks to Workforce Solutions and rootEd, on March 25, 2025 Middle school students have the opportunity to get an inside look at the many great career opportunities in construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and finance across West Central Texas. Morning (9:30 am) and afternoon (1:00 pm) sessions are available. See informational Flyer Here. For more Information contact wfswct.org/tours or email wbl@wfswct.org

Texas State Technical College will be hosting a series of Career Discovery Camps in partnership with StartUp High, led by Scott Kelly. These camps are designed to give high school students hands-on exposure to career pathways through interactive activities, visits to local businesses, and career-focused exploration. Participation is at no cost to students.

Summer 2026 Camp Dates & Locations

Sweetwater Campus

• June 23–25, 2026 – Mini Medical Camp

• July 14–16, 2026 – Career Discovery Camp

The camps focus on early career awareness, workforce exposure, and helping students connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities. Scott Kelly will serve as the primary point of contact for schools regarding student participation, logistics, and program details, and he will follow up directly with interested partners.

The following Texas Administrative Code (TAC) rule action was filed with the Texas Register for publication in the January 16, 2026 issue.

Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter AA, Commissioner's Rules on College and Career Readiness, §74.1005, College and Career Funding and Reimbursements
Summary: The proposed amendment would update language concerning college and career related assessment reimbursements as required by House Bill (HB) 2 and HB 120, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, and make technical edits for clarification and consistency.
Publication in the Texas Register: January 16, 2026
Public Comment Period: January 16, 2026-February 16, 2026. A form for submitting public comments is available on the proposed commissioner of education rules web page.
Proposed Effective Date: May 10, 2026

Please see the TEA website to view proposed commissioner of education rules.

The TEA CTE Team is excited to announce the launch of monthly office hours for school administrators, counselors, and CTE teachers. When: 2nd Wednesday of each month

Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM CDT Use this link to join the CTE Monthly Office Hours via Teams. The office hours are designed to provide targeted assistance with questions related to CTE programming. Whether you are seeking clarification on a specific initiative, need support with implementation, or want to connect with the TEA CTE Team, this time is available to you. Each monthly session may include updates or insights on specific topics, but the primary focus is to support LEAs with their CTE programmatic questions.

The Texas Education Agency, in collaboration with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission, developed the Graduation Toolkit to provide essential information to students, parents, and counselors about the new Foundation High School Program.

The updated 2025 Graduation Toolkit is now available for download.

The Texas Higher Education Board has developed three new toolkits tailored for middle school educators, high school educators, and administrators across the State of Texas to support the implementation of My Texas Future across the state. Each toolkit is filled with ready-to-use activities that introduce students to the five stages of career exploration and make it easier for you to integrate My Texas Future into your classroom or campus programming. Access the toolkits below to get started with My Texas Future today!

Middle School Counselor Toolkit

High School Counselor Toolkit

Resource Guide for Educators and Administrators

Direct Admissions for Counselors and Advisors Toolkit