Avalon, Italy, Milford ISDs receive $200,000 Rural Student Career Pathway Grant

AUSTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott today announced Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) planning and expansion grants totaling $2,560,000 have been awarded to 17 rural school district partnerships.

In Ellis County, which is part of the Texas Education Agency’s Region 10, recipient school districts of a planning grant are Avalon (awardee), Italy (partner), and Milford (partner) ISDs. Per program requirements, participating districts have an average daily attendance of fewer than 1,600 students.

TEA will administer the $200,000 planning grants, which will support prospective R-PEPs in designing pathways focused on labor market alignment, operational readiness, and launch preparation.

There weren’t any Ellis County ISDs listed as recipients of one of the $80,000 expansion grants for existing R-PEPs seeking to expand by adding districts and or pathways.

“Rural Texas students deserve access to high-quality college and career pathways,” said Abbott. “These grants provide that opportunity so they can prepare for high-wage, high-demand jobs in their communities. Partnerships among rural school districts ensure every Texas student, no matter where they live, has the tools to succeed and to strengthen our state’s economic future.” 

The R-PEP program incentivizes rural school districts to partner with neighboring districts to increase access to high-quality postsecondary pathways for rural students. Through multi-district collaboration, students will benefit from expanded opportunities to succeed in school and beyond while promoting economic development in rural areas.

R-PEP was created through House Bill 2209 during the 88th Regular Legislative Session, building on the success of the Rural Schools Innovation Zone, an initiative serving rural students in South Texas.

For more information, visit the TEA’s website here.