(RED OAK, Texas) – About 80 sophomores, juniors and seniors from Red Oak High School are taking dual enrollment classes this year through Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus.
Some of the high school students are taking Automotive Technology classes taught by a TSTC-credentialed teacher at Red Oak Middle School, where some of the Red Oak Independent School District‘s career and technical education classes are located.
Other high school students are taking classes in the Drafting and Design, Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrical Power and Controls, and Welding Technology programs at TSTC.
“The partnership between TSTC and the school district continues to grow each year,” said Marcus Balch, provost of TSTC’s North Texas campus. “We are tremendously excited that the district has offered us the opportunity to teach all district CAD (computer-aided design) classes this year in addition to the continued enrollments in our other programs.”
Victor Ramirez, an instructor in TSTC’s Drafting and Design program at the North Texas campus, said the opportunity for high school students to take dual enrollment classes enables them to see what the college offers.
The high school students are taking Drafting and Design classes using performance-based education, showing proficiency in online modules as they progress at their own pace during the semester. The students will learn how to use AutoCAD software during their TSTC classes. Students have access to Ramirez in person during classes or virtually through Google Meet and Flip.
Offering more dual enrollment courses for high school students means they can expand on Texas Education Agency-backed statewide career and technical education programs of study, said Jennifer Jeter, assistant principal for career and technical education at Red Oak High School.
“I think they are getting it because of the environment,” she said. “They are feeding off each other.”
Jeter said communication from TSTC’s faculty helps her know which high school students are struggling in their classes.
She said the high school is making plans to begin enrolling present eighth grade students in November for the 2023-24 academic year. Enrollment for the high school students is scheduled to finish next spring.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.
