UTSA Office of Community Outreach

P-16 Councils

History of the P-16 Council

In Texas, the P-16 collaborative began in 1998 as an informal network called the Public Education/Higher Education Coordinating Group. That group was formed by the Commissioners of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), along with the executive director of the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).

Representatives from the legislature, the Governor's office, university systems and other state agencies, as well as education associations and business coalitions were invited to the meetings. It was important for the stakeholders and strategic partners to have a structure, however informal, to present ideas and discuss issues of mutual concern and interest such as the Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate (AP/IB) Incentive Program, college readiness projects, role of community colleges, teacher recruitment and retention, dual/concurrent enrollment, minority enrollment and assessment. P-16 Council

Dr. Raymond Paredes, Commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has further encouraged his network of P16 Field Specialists to foster the development of regional P16 Councils to serve as the change agents that can create a college-going culture throughout Texas.   

 

The UTSA Office of Community Outreach Currently participates in the Region 7, South Texas Outreach Councils. The OCO also participates in the Go Center Steering Committee in Corpus Christi area.

Contact Information

Laredo –South Texas P-16 Council
Contact- Ms. Conchita Hickey
Executive Director of the Office of Programs for Academic Support and Enrichment
Texas A&M International University
5201 University Boulevard - Laredo, Tx. 78041
chickey@tamiu.edu

Rio Grande Valley- P-16 Council
Contact-Dr. Belinda Torres
Tech Prep Coordinator
1902 N. Loop 499 Bldg. P
Harlingen, Texas,78550
belinda.torres@harlingen.tstc.edu

San Antonio-P-16 Council
Contact- Ms. Margaret Anderson
Executive Director
The P-16 Plus Council of Greater Bexar County
310 S. Saint Mary's ste. 2400
San Antonio, Texas
andersonmf@zachry.com

Corpus Christi-P-16 Council
Contact – Dr. Frank Lucido
Director of ISLA
6300 Ocean Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas
Frank.Lucido@tamucc.edu