ANNAPOLIS, Md., April 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed bipartisan legislation at the
State House to create and support P-TECH schools around the state,
beginning with an initial two P-TECH schools expected to open in
Baltimore this fall. Colorado and Rhode
Island have adopted similar measures to replicate P-TECH
schools across their states.
Co-developed by IBM (NYSE: IBM), P-TECH is an innovative,
nationally-recognized education model that combines high school,
college, and workplace skills required for 21st century
jobs. Within a six-year program, graduates from Maryland's P-TECH schools can earn both a high
school diploma and an associate degree in STEM (science,
technology, engineering, and math). Students who successfully
complete the program become first in line for available jobs at
companies like IBM.
"We applaud the Governor for his leadership in bringing the
innovation of P-TECH to Maryland
and Senate President Miller and House Speaker Busch for their
leadership in passing P-TECH legislation with overwhelming
support," said Stanley S. Litow,
Vice President of Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs and
President of the IBM International Foundation. "We devised P-TECH
to address the nation's skills crisis, and to do so for all
students. This important bill will expand the transformation of
high school in communities across Maryland and create a pathway from school to
college to career. We're committed to helping grow P-TECH and
helping our nation's youth secure a meaningful future."
"Our administration is proud to support a truly innovative
approach to improving education in disadvantaged areas," said
Governor Hogan. "By blending high school, college, and workplace
experience, P-TECH students will receive a world-class education
and gain in-demand skills that employers need in the
21st century, and employers will gain a steady pipeline
of skilled professionals."
After Governor Hogan introduced a legislative proposal earlier
this year to authorize P-TECH schools in Maryland, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation to
create these public schools that blend high school, college, and
work experience in one and provide planning grants to local school
districts. IBM, Johns Hopkins, Kaiser
Permanente and University of Maryland,
Baltimore will be among the initial industry partners for
P-TECH schools in the state.
Last year, Colorado Governor
Hickenlooper signed a bipartisan bill allowing three P-TECH schools
to open in the region this fall and Rhode
Island also approved three P-TECH schools to open this
September. Nationwide, the model will spread to an estimated 60
P-TECH schools in six states, with nearly 200 industry partners in
the new school year.
P-TECH Schools Empower Underserved Communities
- Since the first P-TECH school launched in 2011 in Crown
Heights, Brooklyn, the school has
already seen 11 students graduate early – six graduates have
started careers at IBM and the rest are pursuing their bachelor's
degrees at four year universities. This summer, 25 more students
are on track to complete their college degrees one to two years
early, earning both their high school diplomas and their associate
tech degrees ahead of schedule. The school, which serves students
of color from low-income families, offers youth access to IBM
mentors and paid internships. P-TECH has above average attendance,
with more than half the school enrolled in at least one college
course this past semester.
- More than a dozen students from a P-TECH school called Sarah E.
Goode STEM Academy in the South Side of Chicago are on the fast track to earn their
associate degrees by this year's end.
- Nearly 75% of 10th grade students from Excelsior
Academy, a school in Newburgh, NY
are enrolled and doing well in their college courses.
The program, which has been launched in urban and rural
districts across a diverse range of STEM sectors, is designed to be
both widely replicable and sustainable. IBM created a free website
(www.ptech.org), making publicly available the formula, tools, and
case studies to help other school districts, colleges,
universities, and businesses establish new P-TECH schools across
the nation.
For more information about P-TECH, journalists can visit a press
kit at http://ibm.co/1lIYVqf
Contact(s) information
Angie Hu
IBM Media Relations
914-499-6532
ahu@us.ibm.com
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SOURCE IBM