ANNAPOLIS, Md., April 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed bipartisan legislation at the State House to create and support P-TECH schools around the state, beginning with an initial two P-TECH schools expected to open in Baltimore this fall. Colorado and Rhode Island have adopted similar measures to replicate P-TECH schools across their states.

Co-developed by IBM (NYSE: IBM), P-TECH is an innovative, nationally-recognized education model that combines high school, college, and workplace skills required for 21^st century jobs. Within a six-year program, graduates from Maryland's P-TECH schools can earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Students who successfully complete the program become first in line for available jobs at companies like IBM.

"We applaud the Governor for his leadership in bringing the innovation of P-TECH to Maryland and Senate President Miller and House Speaker Busch for their leadership in passing P-TECH legislation with overwhelming support," said Stanley S. Litow, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs and President of the IBM International Foundation. "We devised P-TECH to address the nation's skills crisis, and to do so for all students. This important bill will expand the transformation of high school in communities across Maryland and create a pathway from school to college to career. We're committed to helping grow P-TECH and helping our nation's youth secure a meaningful future."

"Our administration is proud to support a truly innovative approach to improving education in disadvantaged areas," said Governor Hogan. "By blending high school, college, and workplace experience, P-TECH students will receive a world-class education and gain in-demand skills that employers need in the 21^st century, and employers will gain a steady pipeline of skilled professionals."

After Governor Hogan introduced a legislative proposal earlier this year to authorize P-TECH schools in Maryland, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation to create these public schools that blend high school, college, and work experience in one and provide planning grants to local school districts. IBM, Johns Hopkins, Kaiser Permanente and University of Maryland, Baltimore will be among the initial industry partners for P-TECH schools in the state.  

Last year, Colorado Governor Hickenlooper signed a bipartisan bill allowing three P-TECH schools to open in the region this fall and Rhode Island also approved three P-TECH schools to open this September. Nationwide, the model will spread to an estimated 60 P-TECH schools in six states, with nearly 200 industry partners in the new school year.

P-TECH Schools Empower Underserved Communities

• Since the first P-TECH school launched in 2011 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the school has already seen 11 students graduate early – six graduates have started careers at IBM and the rest are pursuing their bachelor's degrees at four year universities. This summer, 25 more students are on track to complete their college degrees one to two years early, earning both their high school diplomas and their associate tech degrees ahead of schedule. The school, which serves students of color from low-income families, offers youth access to IBM mentors and paid internships. P-TECH has above average attendance, with more than half the school enrolled in at least one college course this past semester.
• More than a dozen students from a P-TECH school called Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy in the South Side of Chicago are on the fast track to earn their associate degrees by this year's end.
• Nearly 75% of 10^th grade students from Excelsior Academy, a school in Newburgh, NY are enrolled and doing well in their college courses.

The program, which has been launched in urban and rural districts across a diverse range of STEM sectors, is designed to be both widely replicable and sustainable. IBM created a free website (www.ptech.org), making publicly available the formula, tools, and case studies to help other school districts, colleges, universities, and businesses establish new P-TECH schools across the nation.

For more information about P-TECH, journalists can visit a press kit at http://ibm.co/1lIYVqf

Contact(s) information

Angie Hu
IBM Media Relations
914-499-6532
ahu@us.ibm.com

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SOURCE IBM

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