P-TECH & EdTechWeek 2023 Bright Starts and Bold Futures-Now Is The Time For A Free Bachelor's Option

New York City School's Chancellor David C. Banks recently shared that 39% of 2015 high school graduates earned a bachelor's degree by 2021. Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) opened in 2011 with 9th graders and produced our first high school graduates in 2015. The 9th graders had no academic screening, no test for admissions, and no college remediation in the City University of New York's New York City College of Technology two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree pathways. Our demographics include more than 90% Black and Hispanic students with most of those students being Black males. If 75% of P-TECH 2015 high school graduates were able to earn a 2-year STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) degree within three years of graduating, it indicates a relatively high rate of success in pursuing higher education. This achievement with majority Black and Hispanic students highlights the potential and motivation of these individuals to further their education. Additionally, 53% continued and earned a bachelor's degree. Also, 45% of the college graduates were hired by our industry partner, IBM. Imagine the possibilities if P-TECH's 9-14 model is extended to include a free bachelor's degree. We have shown that 8th graders can be matched not only to high school, but also a 2-year AAS.

The above chart shows the persistence to and through our supported pathways for P-TECH students to earn a free STEM degree. Now, let's imagine the possibilities if there was an opportunity to earn a free 4-year degree. With the current success rate of 2-year degree attainment, it is reasonable to assume that a significant number of these high school graduates would seize the opportunity to pursue a 4-year degree if it were available for free.

P-TECH is currently replicated in 14 states of the USA and 28 countries. Half of the 14 or 50% have already produced P-TECH college graduates. Those seven states are Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island, and Texas. In 2013 I spoke about the P-TECH work at two events in Austin, Texas and there were no P-TECHs at that time. By the end of school year 2021-2022, there were more than 200 P-TECH programs across the state of Texas.

New York State City and State could benefit from offering a free 4-year degree as there are several positive outcomes that could be anticipated. The first positive outcome is increased access to higher education. Removing financial barriers would enable more students to pursue a 4-year degree, expanding access to higher education for a larger portion of the population. A second positive outcome to anticipate is higher graduation rates. With financial constraints eliminated, students may be more likely to complete their 4-year degree programs, leading to higher graduation rates. A third positive outcome is enhanced career opportunities. A 4-year degree opens up a wider range of career opportunities and higher earning potential for graduates. This could lead to improved job prospects and economic mobility for individuals and their families. Lastly, a strengthened workforce would be a positive outcome. A larger pool of individuals with 4-year degrees would contribute to a more skilled and educated workforce, potentially driving economic growth and innovation. By eliminating the need for student loans, graduates would be able to start their careers without the burden of significant debt, allowing them to invest in other areas such as housing, entrepreneurship, or further education. Also, access to a free 4-year degree would provide individuals from lower-income backgrounds with a greater chance to break the cycle of poverty and achieve upward social mobility.

In the August 2022, issue of the Washington Monthly, "A Job And A College Degree Before You Graduate High School" Jamaal Abdul-Alim profiles the success of Dallas P-TECHs. Abdul-Alim shares "Dual enrollment" are the hottest reform in education. But they haven't worked for lower-income students of color-until now. Within the article, Abdul-Alim mentions our first cohort of students who were dual enrolled Fall 2013. I share with you below the grade point averages of those students at the end of Fall 2013 and their 2 and 4-year degree attainment by June 2023.

It is important to reiterate that our students were not academically screened or tested for admissions. The students were given access and support in free STEM pathways. I am excited to see and share that 53% of those students whose grade point averages were below 2.0 were able to persist and earn 2 or 4-year degrees.

In October 2010, I presented at a College Board conference and Jamaal Abdul-Alim included me in his Diverse Issues and Education article, "College Board Forums Emphasize Expanded Postsecondary Access". In 2010, I was the principal of Bronx Engineering and Technology Academy (BETA) and we had graduated our first three cohorts of students (2008, 2009 and 2010). Abdul-Alim shared, "Rashid Davis, principal of the upstart Bronx Engineering and Technology Academy (BETA) cited research that showed the most important factor in academic achievement was for school administrators to reject the "deficit thinking".

Finally, offering a free 4-year degree would likely have a transformative impact on individuals, communities, and society. It would empower more students to pursue higher education, unlock their potential, and contribute to a more educated and prosperous society.