Name | Position | Phone | |
---|---|---|---|
Mayra Heredia | CTE Administrative Assistant | mheredia@uisd.net | (956) 473-2117 |
Jessica Villalobos | CTE Administrative Assistant | jvillalobos@uisd.net | (956) 473-2147 |
UISD’s Career and Technical Education Department strives to prepare students with the academic knowledge and technical skills needed to be successful in today’s competitive global economy. Through both quality career programs of study and partnerships with businesses, industry, and Institutes of Higher Education, students are prepared to seamlessly transition into postsecondary education or the workforce.
UISD’s career and technical programs of study are focused on the 16 national career cluster frameworks adopted by the Texas Education Agency. Students are given the opportunity to select their programs of study in the following clusters.
The CTE department encourages students to join Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) available at each campus. CTSOs provide students the opportunity to gain effective leadership and communication skills. Student is also able to participate in a variety of community activities and competitive events at the local, regional, state and national levels.
Industry Certifications
Students enrolled in CTE courses are encouraged to earn industry-recognized certifications which offer students the opportunity to demonstrate the mastery of knowledge and skills at industry standards. Students who earn certification while in high school may qualify to earn the Performance Acknowledgement distinction on their high school transcript as per 19 TAC Chapter 74 Subchapter B – Graduation Requirements.
Internships and Practicums
Students at UISD who participate in CTE are provided with real-world experiences through participation in various internships and practicums. UISD has affiliations with business, hotels, hospitals, school, governmental entities, and local organizations.
CTE College Credits
The CTE department highly encourages students to strive for college credit while in high school. Students can earn college credit through articulated courses or workforce certificates offered by the Laredo Community College.
Articulation – Students can earn college credit by taking state Articulated Technical Credit (ATC) courses in high school. An ATC course is an enhanced version of a normal high school course that is taught by a teacher who has had specialized training. Local articulated agreements have been developed with Laredo Community College and Texas A&M International University to offer additional college credit opportunities
Workforce Certificates – Students can earn college credit by enrolling in Workforce Certificate Programs with the Laredo Community College. The CTE department has developed Workforce Certificate agreements with Laredo Community College to enhance the CTE program. Programs include Oil and Gas Production, Nurse Aide, Diesel Engine, and Computer Information Basic Skills.
For Information on Articulated Courses and Workforce Certificate Programs available at your campus, visit your high school counselor.
Texas College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS)
UISD Career and Technical teachers are trained to incorporate the Texas Career and College Readiness Standards (CCRS) in all CTE courses as outlined in the AchieveTexas Course Crosswalk. The AchieveTexas Course Crosswalk connects the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Career and Technical Education for each course with the Career and College Readiness Standards (CCRS).