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Texas expands high school career pathways

Mary Lynn Pruneda, Director of Education and Workforce Policy

More than six in 10 jobs require a degree or credential, but only 36% of Texas high school graduates earn one within six years.

Texas must expand access to workforce credentials in high school so students who choose not to attend college can still step into strong, career-ready jobs after graduation.

This session, the 2025 Legislature took key steps to make Texas a national leader in modernizing high school education.

1.Texas Redefined the Goals of High School Toward Future Readiness

HB 2 by Rep. Buckley & Sen. Creighton

HB 120 by Rep. K. Bell & Sen. Schwertner

For the first time, the Texas Legislature has set a statewide standard for high school success, establishing two new goals for every student:

  • Career readiness for all: Graduates will leave high school with the skills and credentials needed to enter the Texas workforce immediately.
  • Postsecondary readiness: Graduates who choose to attend college will be prepared for college-level work without needing remediation.

2.Texas is Providing Better Career & Outcomes Information for Students

HB 2 and HB 120 cont.

Texas students have more high school course options, but there’s little info on the outcomes of those programs. New legislation will now give students and counsellors data on careers, college and wages tied to their program.

3.The State is Aligning Dual Credit with Local Career Opportunities

SB 1786 by Sen. Creighton & Rep. VanDeaver

Building on comprehensive community college reforms from 2023, the Legislature refined “credential of value” definitions to add rigor, with a focus on student economic mobility. In addition, the legislation seeks to:

  • Better align program offerings with local labor market needs
  • Improve data quality to provide transparency over program outcomes
  • Streamline state funding to support dual credit programs and CTE grants

4.Legislature Expands Funding Career-Aligned High Schools

HB 2 and HB 120 cont.

Texas passed legislation expanding access to innovative high school models with proven track records of getting students ready for high-demand careers. Through tripling funding for P-TECH programs, quadrupling funding for R-PEP programs, and providing grants to school districts to stand up these programs Texas is on track to dramatically expand career-aligned high schools across the state.

Did you know? This session Texas invested millions in scaling career-aligned high schools across the state, particularly in rural areas and realigning the goals of the public education system toward preparing students for life after high school. 

Read more about Texas education:

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