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(ABC 6 News) – Rochester Public Schools’ P-TECH program is the only program of its kind in Minnesota. The program was made possible with state funding several years ago, but its future is uncertain and more funding is needed to continue classes.
From 2021 onwards, P-TECH program This has given hundreds of high school students a head start on college credit and education.
“I joined P-TECH because I always wanted to pursue a career in nursing, and I felt like P-TECH gave me every opportunity,” said Amaya, a 9th grade student. James said.
“I always wanted to do something in the health care field, especially the nursing field,” said ninth-grader Ramul Saeed.
“I heard there was an IT program and I really enjoy working with computers and things like that,” said ninth-grader Jamie Ahern.
“The core idea is that students complete four years of high school and two years of higher education and receive a degree or certificate at the end. But importantly, the courses they take in high school is precisely designed to prepare them for any career field,” said Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel.
Especially when it comes to nursing and technology, these are areas that are essential to this community. However, changes during last year’s legislative session resulted in the Rochester Public School District receiving less funding for this monumental program.
“What happened in the last Congress was, frankly without us even realizing it, we went from funding Rochester to competitive grants that could go anywhere,” Pekel said. Ta.
These changes are prompting school leaders and legislators to take the following actions: new bill.
“This bill will go a long way in helping Rochester fund P-TECH as we work to attract private and public partners,” said Rep. Kim Hicks (DFL-Rochester).
Hicks, lead author of HF 3722, said MedCity has a unique opportunity to serve as a model for the entire state.
“But the great thing about this is that Rochester can help other districts who are looking to expand this great program,” Hicks said.
“We provide training, tools and information to people, but it takes several years to put the program on solid footing financially to make that happen,” Pekel said.
Students want the program to continue.
“I love this great community and I really enjoy it,” Ahern said.
“I’ve had more time to have a thought process to think about whether I really want to do this,” Said said.
“So for me to have these opportunities for free, like during high school, because I’m a single mom and I’m doing something like that, it’s such a step up,” James said.
The bill would require just under $800,000 in funding. As funds are dispersed across the state, Rochester will seek additional community support to fund his P-TECH.