North Central Texas Regional Pathways Network

"Credentials of value" are those that equip students for strong career trajectories; improve their earnings opportunities; align with high-demand jobs offered by Texas employers; and provide a typical student holding that credential with enough earnings within 10 years to pay for the cost of their education and surpass the earnings of a typical high school graduate.
texas2036.org/grads

Wrapping up a powerful strategic session with Dallas College in the lead. The focus was the future of agriculture careers!

We had strong representation across the industry, including cattle ranching, drones, landscape design, farm-to-table operations, seed trade, aquaculture, viticulture, agribusiness, finance, beekeeping, and more. Hearing directly from employers about the skills they need was incredibly valuable.

One thing is clear: agriculture in Texas is not just growing, it is evolving. The opportunities for students are expanding, and the future of this industry is Texas strong!

The Future of Agriculture Planning Session with Texas Regional Pathways in North Central Texas, Dallas College, and a range of industry partners focused on everything from cattle ranching, Honey Bee Farming, Aquaculture, Drones, Horticulture, Food Science Technology, Program Managers and more. 🌱

We are so grateful to Dallas College for hosting our strategic planning session at the amazing Construction Science Coppell Center!

Agriculture continues to lead as the top area of concentration in Texas, with approximately 6% of high school students in a studied cohort choosing this pathway. That says a lot about where our future workforce is headed.

This work matters. Aligning education to industry is how we ensure students are not just completing programs, but walking out ready for high-wage, high-demand careers.

Excited to be part of the work shaping what comes next for students across NCTX.

https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/tx-teacher-certification-brief

Teacher Certification in Texas: District Strategies to Recruit and Retain a Credentialed Workforce Texas is navigating high teacher attrition and relying on uncertified teachers who can fill vacancies quickly. While the share of uncertified teachers tripled across the state between 2019–20 and 2024–25, some districts maintained high rates of certified teachers. This study sought to identify t...

We know that Agriculture CTE Programs of Study provide outstanding opportunities and experiences for students. We also know that over 50% of CTE full-time equivalent (FTE’s) across NCTX schools are allocated to Agriculture Teachers. Yet, agriculture careers are missing from the NCTX Targeted occupations list. Why is this? What can we do about it? Join the Journey!
Read full article here:

https://bit.ly/NCTXAG

NCTX CCMR Dashboard Update is LIVE

We’re excited to share the latest updates to the North Central Texas College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) Dashboard.

This interactive tool supports districts, campuses, and regional partners in making data-driven decisions that strengthen student outcomes and workforce alignment. The dashboard provides insight into key indicators such as dual credit, industry-based certifications, and postsecondary readiness, helping leaders track progress and plan strategically.

Explore the updated dashboard here:
https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiZmJjNjE5Y2UtYmU0Yy00NmU1LWFkZDEtOWRlYjJmYWEyYTFmIiwidCI6ImFhNjg3MzlmLTAxZTQtNGM1My1hMmIxLTdhMWMwNzZkZDdjMCJ9

Use this tool to:
• Identify trends in CCMR performance
• Align programs to high-wage, high-demand careers
• Strengthen pathways from high school to postsecondary success
• Support continuous improvement across districts

This work reflects our ongoing commitment through NCTX Pathways to ensure every student graduates ready for college, career, or military service.

Microsoft Power BI

“Emerging careers do not develop through isolated courses. They require sequenced learning, hands-on training, industry recognized credentials, and work-based learning experiences.”

Read the complete article below ⬇️

Reach out to [email protected] to request an in person presentation.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dCUnfwMJ3eEoMpPxb8J0NczWUnxaZI3q/view?usp=drivesdk

Career Pathways are programming decisions. Not electives.
Underlying these lessons is a central realization that “career pathways” is not a policy to be enacted, nor a single program model to be adopted—it represents a fundamental shift in how governments, educators, businesses, and civil society organizations must work together as a single, coherent system.

Reflections on Career Pathways Implementation in the United States The moral and economic imperative to prepare students for successful careers has never been more clear.