Harford County Public Schools, Harford Community College, and the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command provide high school students with associate degree credits
Under a new partnership between Harford County Public Schools (HCPS), Harford Community College (HCC) and the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM), thirty Harford County Public School students in the Joppatowne/Edgewood community will have an opportunity to attend high school classes while also earning credit toward an associate degree, at no cost to the students, starting in fall 2020 at Joppatowne High School.
HCPS and HCC are launching Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) and were awarded a planning grant to prepare for the upcoming student cohort. The launch of PTECH illustrates North Star, the initiative between HCPS and HCC, as it provides high school students access to career and college preparation while still enrolled in high school. Beginning in the fall of 2020, students will work towards graduating with a high school diploma and a no-cost, two-year associate degree. CECOM, located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, will be partnering with the program to advise the school system and college regarding curriculum development in addition to mentoring these students. P-TECH students will participate in one-on-one mentoring, workplace visits and skills instruction, and summer internship opportunities.
The program, made possible through this unique partnership, will be located at Joppatowne High School and offered to incoming students from Magnolia and Edgewood Middle schools for the fall 2020.
Dr. Dianna Phillips, President of Harford Community College, said “We are delighted to be partnering with HCPS and CECOM in this important work. Programs like P-TECH reaffirm our commitment to providing greater educational opportunity for all students in Harford County.”
“The P-TECH program is important in helping students explore potential career opportunities in information technology and cyber security. We are looking forward to mentoring young people here in Harford County and helping them gain a better understanding of APG’s mission for the Army and our Nation,” said Larry Muzzelo, Deputy to the Commander, CommunicationsElectronics Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Self-motivated students will attend high school classes while also earning credit toward an associate degree in Information Systems or Cybersecurity. Students have the opportunity to complete both a 4-year high school diploma and a 2-year associate degree in less than six years. Those students accepted into the program will begin college level work by the summer of their 9th grade year.
“This is a unique opportunity that we are proud to provide our students,” said Superintendent of HCPS, Dr. Sean Bulson. “Partners like HCC and CECOM are essential to ensuring students graduate on track to pursue their chosen career. P-TECH is one illustration of how support from businesses in our community makes a difference to each of our students.”
Transportation will be provided by HCPS through the grant, along with mentoring and internship opportunities. Support and enrichment will be offered during mandatory Summer Institutes as well as participation in extended day programs.
The partnership team was awarded a one-year planning grant from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) through the Maryland State Legislature’s funding commitment to add two more schools to the state’s P-TECH initiative which started in January 2016. There are now 9 Maryland P-TECH schools.
HCPS, HCC, and CECOM entered into an Educational Partnership Agreement in October, 2019 to support the P-TECH educational experience by providing a mechanism through which students can benefit from the staff expertise, unique facilities and technology available at CECOM.
Reference to any products, services, or institutions does not constitute or imply an endorsement by CECOM, the Department of the Army, or the Department of Defense.
For more information, contact: Robert Limpert, Supervisor of Business, Technology and Magnet Programs for Harford County Public Schools 410-588-5244 Robert.Limpert@hcps.org
