P-TECH and The Butterfly Effect

I learned about the Butterfly Effect when I was in therapy. “The?Butterfly?Effect: This?effect?grants?the?power to cause a hurricane in China to a?butterfly?flapping its wings in New Mexico. It may take a very long time, but?the?connection is real. If?the?butterfly?had not flapped its wings at just?the?right point in space/time,?the?hurricane would not have happened. A more rigorous way to express this is that small changes in?the?initial conditions lead to drastic changes in?the?results. Our lives are an ongoing demonstration of this principle.” As the founding principal, I shared the above with our school community in November of 2014. P-TECH, or Pathways in Technology Early College High School, is a groundbreaking educational model that beautifully exemplifies the Butterfly Effect as we enter year 13. Just like a butterfly flapping its wings can cause a ripple effect leading to significant changes in the world, P-TECH has set in motion a transformative wave in the realm of education. We opened in 2011 through the use of a school improvement grant (SIG) as a transformation turnaround model.

At its core, P-TECH is designed to address the critical skills gap and bridge the divide between education and industry. New York City College of Technology is our college partner and IBM is our industry partner. The City University of New York's Early College Initiative oversees the relationship between the New York City Department of Education and the City University of New York. By offering a seamless six-year program that combines high school, college, and industry experiences, P-TECH has created a unique ecosystem that nurtures and empowers students to thrive in the ever-evolving job market. We are at the forefront of the SkillsFirst Initiative where companies and states are no longer requiring a 4-year degree for hiring. There are seven states and seven companies leading this call to action. ?Those seven states are Maryland, Utah, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Alaska, North Carolina, and New Jersey.?Three of the seven, Maryland, Colorado, and New Jersey have replicated P-TECH. Following IBM's lead, there are six other companies that have indicated that SkillsFirst will be how they hire talent.?The following seven companies are: IBM, Accenture, Okta, Dell, Bank of America, Google, and Delta Airlines.

The Butterfly Effect is all about recognizing the interconnectedness of various elements and understanding that even the smallest actions can have far-reaching consequences. P-TECH embodies this concept by bringing together stakeholders from different sectors, including educators, industry leaders, and community partners. MDRC is conducting research on seven P-TECHs in New York City. “Our new interim study suggests that P-TECH?9-14 schools are helping their students accelerate their ability to meet academic milestones, while getting real exposure to work-based opportunities” said D. Crystal Byndloss,?MDRC?senior associate and project director for the evaluation of P-TECH?9-14. “We look forward to learning more about how high school, college, and employer partners collaborate — and to seeing if these early positive indicators lead to higher rates of high school graduation and college success.” By fostering collaboration and synergy among these diverse entities, P-TECH has created a powerful network that transcends traditional educational boundaries. P-TECH is now a global replication on 28 countries and 14 states in the United States of America. Currently, seven of the 14 states have produced P-TECH college graduates. Those seven states are Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island, and Texas.

Just like a butterfly's wings can create a chain reaction of events, P-TECH has sparked a series of positive changes in the lives of its students. By providing them with a rigorous curriculum, personalized support, and real-word experiences, P-TECH equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the digital age. This, in turn, has a profound impact on their prospects, opening doors to higher education, meaningful careers, and economic mobility.

Moreover, P-TECH's influence extends beyond its immediate students. The program has inspired a ripple effect within the education system prompting other schools and districts to adopt similar models. By showcasing the power of collaboration, innovation, and industry partnerships, P-TECH has become a catalyst for educational reform, transforming the way we prepare students for the workforce.

Just as a butterfly's wings can create a gust of wind that alters the course of events, P-TECH has the potential to reshape the trajectory of entire communities. By focusing on underserved populations and providing equitable access to high-quality education, P-TECH has become a force for social change. It empowers students who may have been overlooked or underestimated, giving them the tools to break free from the cycle of poverty and create a better future for themselves and their families.

In conclusion, P-TECH embodies the Butterfly Effect by demonstrating how a small idea can have a profound impact on the world. Through its innovative approach to education, P-TECH has created a ripple effect that extends far beyond the classrooms, transforming the lives of students, inspiring educational reform, and fostering social change. Just like a butterfly's wings, P-TECH's influence is felt in every corner it reaches, leaving a lasting imprint on the landscape of education.