# Texas P-TECH Study Finds Higher Credential Rates, With Causation Unproven

The descriptive research compares students in the programs with other students at the same schools.

By Will Langan | 24X7 News
Published: 2026-10-29T20:15:59.361Z
Updated: 2026-10-29T20:15:59.361Z
Section: Science
Format: News
Canonical: https://24x7news.us/articles/mdrc-texas-p-tech-study-october-29-2026

An MDRC study highlighted in an October 29 announcement finds higher graduation and college-credential rates among Texas students who participated in P-TECH programs than among other students at the same schools.

The report explicitly cautions that its comparisons cannot determine whether program participation caused the differences.

P-TECH connects high schools with community colleges and employers, offering college coursework and work-related experiences alongside secondary education.

The analysis follows students in programs operating between the 2018–19 and 2023–24 school years. Postsecondary results cover 34,941 students at 65 schools, including 7,744 who participated in P-TECH.

Five years after starting ninth grade, 20% of P-TECH participants had earned a postsecondary credential, compared with 4% of other students. Graduation rates were approximately 87% and 73%, respectively.

The groups resembled each other on several demographic measures but also differed, including in gender composition and special-education participation.

The researchers describe the findings as early evidence to inform program development and future research. The observational design does not establish what outcomes the same students would have achieved without P-TECH.

Sources:
MDRC — P-TECH in Texas Report: https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/P-TECH_in_Texas_2026.pdf
October 29 Study Announcement: https://www.streetinsider.com/Business%2BWire/New%2BMDRC%2BStudy%2BFinds%2BTexas%2BP-TECH%2BStudents%2BMore%2BThan%2BFive%2BTimes%2Bas%2BLikely%2Bto%2BReceive%2Ba%2BCollege%2BCredential,%2Band%2BEarn%2BMore/27256097.html

## Sources
- MDRC — P-TECH in Texas: What Happens After High School?: https://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/P-TECH_in_Texas_2026.pdf
- October 29 Study Announcement via Business Wire: https://www.streetinsider.com/Business%2BWire/New%2BMDRC%2BStudy%2BFinds%2BTexas%2BP-TECH%2BStudents%2BMore%2BThan%2BFive%2BTimes%2Bas%2BLikely%2Bto%2BReceive%2Ba%2BCollege%2BCredential,%2Band%2BEarn%2BMore/27256097.html