In February 2010, the Texas Pioneer Foundation awarded Skillpoint Alliance a grant to develop the Gateway High School Dropout Recovery and Prevention Program.  Modeled after Skillpoint’s nationally-acclaimed Gateway Construction program, Gateway High School will motivate at-risk students and returning dropouts to pursue Gateway training as they work to complete high school graduation requirements. 

Training in Construction and Electrical are currently available, Medical Office/Customer Service will be available in September, and Medical Insurance Billing in January.  We also plan to develop training for Automotive Repair and Certified Nurse Assistants/Medication Aides.

Like all Gateway programs, the High School Dropout Recovery and Prevention Program will focus on rapid training and employment in high-demand, entry-level jobs (see the attached Gateway summary).  While most of the training is likely to be delivered on high school campuses, students also will receive several days of instruction on an Austin Community College campus.  This is a critical element of the Gateway model because it places at-risk students in the college campus environment and allows them literally to see themselves as college students.

Current law allows high school dropouts as old as 25 to re-enroll in public school, receive state and local funding, and engage in activities leading to a high school diploma.  Skillpoint will encourage districts to reach out to these young adults as well as students enrolled in opportunity centers, offering them Gateway training and employment as they complete credit recovery and TAKS remediation.  Because our industry partners are committed to our students, employers will stress the importance of completing high school degree requirements and as much as possible create work schedules that do not conflict with school requirements.

If you need more information about Gateway High School, please contact Stephanie Korcheck: skorcheck@skillpointalliance.org or (512)323-6773 ext. 125.

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