Deep East Texas College & Career Academy
DETCCA is a collaboration of public-school districts and institutions of higher education in the deep East Texas region, including Burkeville, Jasper, Kirbyville, Newton, Spurger, Woodville School Districts & Lamar Institute of Technology and Stephen F. Austin State University.
The Leaders of the Alliance have created this collaboration to serve over 7,000 students in deep East Texas to meaningfully increase college and career educational opportunities. The high school students can earn college credits and stackable certifications that provide college-level career and technical education and general education college courses. The Higher
Education and Technology Center at Jasper began to operate at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year. Dual-enrollment high school students come to the center for part of the day to take courses – such as cybersecurity, welding, patient care and many others – along with general education college courses in English, psychology or other subjects.
Opportunities for Economic Improvement in the Jasper County Area
Challenges
- 82% living below the poverty level; median income of less than $27,000 a year.
- 31% (ages 25-34 years old) with certificate or higher education degree.
- Unemployment rate is 4.8%; but more than 50% of the employed population working non-livable wages (part-time, minimum wages).
Opportunities
DETCCA supports the belief that workers with more education earn higher wages than employees with no post-secondary education.
- College-educated workers earn 84% more
- Workers with some college education (no degree) earn 16% more
Project, Borgen. “The Economic Benefits of Education.” https: borgenproject.org/economic-benefits-of-education/. pg, 2 July 2018
