College and Career Readiness School Models (CCRSM)

The Texas College and Career Readiness School Models (CCRSM) are open enrollment programs that blend high school and college coursework to help historically underserved and at-risk students develop technical skills, earn college credentials and degrees, and pursue in-demand career paths.

The statewide CCRSM network is comprised of 430 campuses implementing one or more of the following CCRSM programs: Early College High Schools (ECHS), and Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH).

CCRSM Partners

Early College High School (ECHS)

Early College High Schools (ECHS) are established through partnerships between school districts and colleges that are innovatively designed to blend high school and college education using a dual credit framework. The schools are designed for high school students to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and an associate degree (or up to two years of credit toward a bachelor's degree).

We launched our first ECHS partnerships in 2014. Beginning their freshmen year, ECHS students begin working toward their high school diplomas while earning up to 60 semester credit hours toward an associate degree—all free-of-cost to students enrolled in the program. 

Palo Alto College ECHS Partners

 

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Somerset ECHS CAST STEM SWID      
Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH)

Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) are innovative open-enrollment high schools that allow students least likely to attend college an opportunity to receive both a high school diploma and a credential and/or an associate degree. The hallmark of the P-TECH model is its career focus and the provision of work-based education.

 

Palo Alto College P-TECH Partners

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Benefits to CCRSM

Early College High School (ECHS)

Early College High Schools (ECHS) are open-enrollment high schools that allow students least likely to attend college an opportunity receive both a high school diploma and either an associate degree or at least 60 credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree. Early College High Schools:

  • Enroll Historically underserved students, targeting at-risk and economically disadvantaged 
  • Provide dual credit at no cost to students
  • Offer rigorous instruction and accelerated courses
  • Provide academic and social support services to help students succeed
  • Provide students with highly personalized attention
  • Increase college readiness
  • Partner with Texas institutions of higher education (IHEs) to reduce barriers to college access

 


Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH)

Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) are innovative open-enrollment high schools that allow students least likely to attend college an opportunity to receive both a high school diploma and a credential and/or an associate degree. The hallmark of the P-TECH model is its career focus and the provision of work-based education. P-TECH programs:

  • Enroll historically underserved students, targeting at-risk and economically disadvantaged 
  • Provide students grade 9 through 12 the opportunity to complete a course of study that combines high school and post-secondary courses
  • Enable students to earn a high school diploma, along with an associate degree, Level 1 or Level 2 certificate, or industry-based certification within six years
  • Offer age-appropriate work-based learning opportunity in every grade level
  • Allow students to gain work experience through an internship, apprenticeship, or other job training program
  • Align to regional workforce needs, guiding students into high-demand, high-wage careers
  • Partner with Texas Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) and regional businesses and industries, giving students access to post-secondary education and workforce training opportunities

 


For more information regarding College and Career Readiness School Models please refer to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website.

Steps to Becoming a CCRSM Student
Student Responsibilities 
  • Communicate your interest to your high school counselor
  • Complete Apply Texas as a Dual Credit Student
    Linked is the step-by-step guide for completion of Apply Texas application for Dual Credit Students.
  • Log into ACES
    ACES is the official online student portal for Alamo Colleges. ACES allows students access to: college resources, course content, student email, and general student information. (Counselor or Advisor will provide your ACES user name and Banner ID)  Visit ACES
  • Complete Alamo Enroll Modules
    Students must complete the two modules below:
    Complete the GO FAARR module.  Complete the Test Prep module (*Note: must complete before taking the TSI Assessment).
  • Complete TSI
    Texas law requires students to complete assessments in reading, writing, and mathematics before enrolling in college. The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) mandates that any new undergraduate student entering a public institution must be assessed for readiness to enroll in college coursework.
    Coordinate with your high school counselor on TSI test dates and testing requirements..
Counselor Responsibilities
  • Information session
    Schedule Information Sessions with Palo Alto College liasion at the high school.
  • Application and Modules
    Schedule ApplyTexas application and AlamoENROLL modules completion days.
  • TSI examination
    Schedule students to take the TSI Placement Exam in writing and essay, reading, and math.
    Communicate TSI Placement Exam and qualifying scores to prospective students.
  • Documentation Submission
    Submit the following completed documents to Palo Alto College High School Programs liasion:

           Parent Consent Forms

           Verification of Eligibility

  • Course Recommendations
    Recommendation List with all eligible student information and course recommendations
CCRSM Resources
Advising

Advising Syllabus
The Advising Syllabus details the topics liasion will review with student by semester.

TAGS Link
Transfer Advising Guides (formerly called 2+2 Plans) provide information on courses to complete prior to transferring to a university. Students should use the transfer advising guides to determine what courses to take at Palo Alto College, as these plans list the requirements within each degree. Transfer advising guides can be accessed here

Texas Common Core Numbering System (TCCNS)
The Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS) is a voluntary, co-operative effort among 137 Texas community colleges and universities to facilitate transfer of freshman and sophomore level general academic coursework. TCCNS provides a shared, uniform set of course designations for students and their advisors to use in determining both course equivalency and degree applicability of transfer credit on a statewide basis.

 

College Transcript

How to Request Official Transcripts

Students should allow 5-7 business days for the transcript requests to be processed. Transcript Request

Transcripts are NOT printed on campus. All transcripts are printed and mailed from an off-site location after a request is made. For this reason, it is not possible to pick up a transcript in person on the same day of a request. Please contact Credentials Solutions at 847-716-3005 if request is not processed in seven (7) business days.

 

Counselor & ISD Partners

CCRSM Manual
The CCRSM Manual gives a detailed overview of all the policies and procedures that pertain to the high school programs department.

TSI
TSI upload Process for Counselors

High School Program Forms
Below are the HSP forms that are needed in order to be in compliance with the colleges rules and regulations.

Parent Consent Form (PDF)
Verification Form (PDF)
Course Agreement (PDF)
Recommendation List (Excel)
Add/Drop Slip

 

CCRSM Information

Texas Education Agency - TEA
For more information regarding College and Career Readiness School Models please refer to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) webpage.

Perspective Partners
Steps to offer a College and Career Readiness School Model program

In order to ensure we are able to support your request, we have implemented a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to gather essential details from our partners to better understand the incoming request.

This link will take you directly to the RFP designated site which includes: information, timeline and application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is CCRSM?
College and Career Readiness School Models (CCRSM) are offered in a variety of  programs including Early College High School (ECHS), and Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH). 

CCRSM courses are taught either at the college or at the high school. Courses are taught by college faculty or by qualified high school instructors who meet the same criteria as college faculty.

If you are interested in a CCRSM, program, check with your high school counselor for a complete list of available programs. Academic courses are transferable to all Texas public colleges and universities and to some private and out-of-state institutions.

 

What Are the Benefits?
CCRSM offers motivated high school students the opportunity to earn college and high school credit simultaneously.

As a CCRSM student, you can: Save money on college tuition. Finish college faster. Enjoy an easier transition to college-level coursework and college life.

 

Who Can Enroll?
To participate in a CCRSM program, you must:

Be enrolled in good standing in 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade of a participating high school, private, charter or home school.  Have approval from a high school counselor.  Fulfill appropriate admissions criteria to the college.  Meet minimum test scores.

 

Who pays for the costs of CCRSM classes?
Palo Alto Community College has waived tuition and fees for CCRSM students. Students living within taxing districts (In-District) may take CCRSM classes at no charge. Students living outside of the taxing district (Out-of-District) do not pay tuition, but they do pay tuition out-of-district fees.

 

Where are CCRSM classes taught?
CCRSM classes are conveniently held on the high school campus or on a nearby college campus. On the high school campus, the classes are exclusively for students attending that high school. On the college campus, students are integrated into regular college courses with regular college students.

 

How many courses can I take?
House Bill 505 removed limitations on the number of classes a student may take. However, Palo Alto Community College recommends that students taking more than two classes per semester possess a 3.0 or higher grade point average in high school coursework.

 

How will I know if my courses transfer?
Students may verify the transferability of credit by asking the college/university if the target university will accept Palo Alto Community College college-level courses in transfer. While many private and out-of-state institutions accept our college-level courses in transfer, students are advised to confirm transferability with the private or out-of-state institution. Workforce courses may or may not be transferable depending upon whether Palo Alto Community College and the college or university has a signed articulation agreement for the particular program and courses in question.

 

Who is responsible for purchasing the textbooks and other instructional material?
CCRSM students, like all college students, are responsible for purchasing required textbooks and other essential course materials. The exception would be in cases where the high school provides textbooks.

 

Can CCRSM obtain financial aid?
CCRSM students cannot receive financial aid. Students must earn a high school diploma or GED to be eligible for financial aid.

What is FERPA and who is an eligible student?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that affords parents the right to have access to their children’s education records, the right to seek to have the records amended, and the right to have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the education records. When a student turns 18 years old, or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student (“eligible student”). An “eligible student” means a student who has reached the age of 18 or who is attending a postsecondary institution at any age. Once a student becomes an “eligible student,” the rights afforded his or her parents under FERPA transfer to that student.

Meet our Team

Dr. Sonia L. Jasso, Director of High School Programs
sjasso19@alamo.edu

Holly Brown, College Coordinator of High School Programs
hbrown2@alamo.edu

High School Partners: South San High School – DC/ECHS/PTECH

Taylor Coffee, College Coordinator of High School Programs
tcoffee@alamo.edu   

High School Partners: Frank L. Madla – ECHS, Somerset ZECLA – ECHS, Somerset High School – DC

Louis Martinez, College Coordinator of High School Programs
lmartinez775@alamo.edu

High School Partners: Somerset Academy Brooks – DC/ECHS, Harlandale STEM – ECHS, Southside HS Early College – ECHS

Miguel Valdez, College Coordinator of High School Programs
mvaldez154@alamo.edu

High School Partners: Southwest High School – DC/ECHS, CAST STEM High School – ECHS, Southwest Legacy High School – DC/ECHS

Fabian Villalobos, College Coordinator of High School Programs
fvillalobos4@alamo.edu

High School Partners: John F. Kennedy HS – DC/ECHS/PTECH, Memorial High School – DC/ECHS, Poteet High School – DC/ECHS/PTECH

Evelene Fuentes, Certified Advisor of High School Programs
efuentes73@alamo.edu

High School Partners: Highlands High School – DC, Marion High School – DC, Bandera High School – DC, Ingram High School – DC, Madison High School – DC, O’Connor High School– DC

Hilary Hilario, Certified Advisor of High School Programs
hhilario@alamo.edu

High School Partners: Charlotte High School – DC, East Central High School – DC, Jubilee San Antonio – DC, Jubilee Lakeview – DC, Devine High School – DC, Jourdanton High School – DC, Burbank High School – DC, Karnes City High School – DC, Natalia High School – DC

Valerie Martinez, Certified Advisor of High School Programs
vmartinez332@alamo.edu

High School Partners: NSITE High School – DC, Harlandale High School – DC, McCollum High School – DC, Southside High School – DC, Pawnee HIgh School – DC

Aileen Camacho, Sr. Coordinator
acamacho23@alamo.edu

High School Partners: Home School– DC

 

Contact Information: 

Location:
Ozuna Library and Learning Center (OZU 116)

Phone:
210-486-3170

Email:
pac-hsprograms@alamo.edu