Since I started the "This should have been at WTA&M" awareness thread about a Vet School in the Panhandle, it has received a lot of input and great comments.

This thread is another of those about how A&M can spread its influence just based on my opinion and nothing else. Comments are welcome. Obviously, I would prefer AC to be under the A&M umbrella and not TTceh.

The question is this: Should Amarillo College become a part of the WTA&M System? It seems so logical to me to gain upward mobility into higher education beyond "junior college" status and WT is in nearby Canyon and would be easy to Administer.
What say you??

No. Junior college is junior college.

AC has its place. And under the WTAMU umbrella isn't it. There are too many small campuses across the Panhandle that managing that under WT would be virtually impossible. Not to mention the tuition would become too expensive for folks looking to begin their secondary education ahead of transferring to a 4 year college.

That's just not how higher ed works. WTAMU and AC already have a great collaborative relationship. The funding mechanisms are so different, merging just isn't an option

https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/ac-texas-tech-university-and-aisd-work-together-to-address-teacher-shortage

AC & Texas Tech University and AISD work together

I guess every decision maker who has a stake in this will sit around and let TTech march in and offer this "fast track" arrangement just like the half assed vet program....

Quote:

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AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) A program aimed at helping to address the teacher shortage in Amarillo is moving forward. A collaboration is helping to fast track college students to becoming teachers.
"When you look at our schools and not just the need right now but the projected need in the future, we have a significant teacher shortage," said Russell Lowery-Hart, President of Amarillo College.

"Texas Tech University walked in the door to Amarillo Independent School District and met they're demand of having a one year teacher certification program," said Dennis Sarine, Director of Education & Child Development at Amarillo College. "AISD brought that to us and they say make it happen."
So enter the "2 Plus 1" program which is created an express pathway for students to complete a teacher certification program and earn a potential teaching position with AISD.

"This happened really quick," said Lowery-Hart. "Texas Tech had the idea and AISD said let's do it. They called us and AC is always willing to say yes when it helps our community."
Students will attend AC and earn an Associates Degree (AA) in two years. They will move on to a one year program where they have to complete 54 hours of course work.
"It's not for the weak of heart, it's an extensive course," said Chris Tatum, director of Human Resources at AISD.

By fast tracking the students is there a concern about sacrificing quality for speed? AISD looks to fill positions in Early Childhood Development Education and grades 4 8 in Math.
"Not a lot of places get to student teach for an entire year," said Tatum. "When people say we are going to have the quality? These students coming out will have a great opportunity to get one full year of student teaching under their belt, which is going to help our kids and our kids deserve the best."
"We know that through the rigor through the vetting and interview process at Texas Tech, these are candidates ready to enter the classroom and ready to enter the program."

The first wave of students who complete everything on time will be ready for hire in the Fall of 2021. Tatum tells ABC 7 News, AISD hires between 150 and 250 new teachers every summer. The Thrive Scholarship is also available to those who need extra financial support.

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