Dickinson ISD is extremely excited to receive this grant, which is opening a world of opportunities to our high school students interested in radiology and welding. We would appreciate any coverage you can provide.

Dickinson High School students will have enhanced opportunities for radiology and welding careers immediately following high school graduation thanks to two grants totaling more than $1.1 million from the Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Program through the Texas Workforce Commission. The Dickinson ISD JET grants were two of 14 grants worth $5.1 million awarded to 10 different school districts or community colleges around the Houston area during a special presentation on Sept. 7 at Alvin Community College.

 “These grants are not just a financial contribution, but a powerful affirmation of our shared commitment to shaping a brighter future for our students and community,” said Dr. Melissa Everett, Dickinson ISD Director of Career and Technical Education. “We are embarking on an extraordinary journey that will transform the landscape of education in our district and, we hope, across the state of Texas.

Starting this school year, DHS will be the first high school in Texas to offer the radiology imaging program onsite in conjunction with a lab component that meets and exceeds industry standards. DHS students can select imaging as a CTE pathway and get hands-on experience learning these skills on equipment used in healthcare facilities. JET grant funds were used to set up a real-life lab inside DHS complete with a top-of-the-line GE Floor Mount Definium XR/f and Ceiling Mount Definium imaging equipment. 

The floor mount, which is typically seen in physician offices or free-standing urgent cares, will help the students learn to manually do all procedures of the skeleton. The ceiling mount, which is installed in specialty care offices and hospitals, has a full array of imaging features and many automated features such as auto positioning, auto technique, and auto collimation. By having both pieces of equipment in the lab, students will receive a full imaging training experience and be prepared for any setting in the workforce. 

DHS, in partnership with a post-secondary institution, is offering courses such as Introduction to Radiology/Medical Terminology, Imaging I, Imaging II, and Practicum of Radiology to align with the college’s Medical Radiography program. In the courses, students will learn the position of every bone, patient vital signs, phlebotomy, EKG, patient positioning, body mechanics, extra modalities, infection control, and radiation safety practices.

 Students will have a unique opportunity for additional hands-on experience at Houston Physicians Hospital as the district works with the hospital to provide clinical rotation opportunities for the students. The students will learn to evaluate images and collaborate with healthcare workers in the healthcare facility to aid and diagnose patients.

 Upon graduation, radiology students can earn a limited medical radiologic technician certification with a potential annual salary of $50,000 plus, but they will also have the chance to further their education through stackable credentials with post-secondary institutions partnerships. For example, students who specialize in mammography or radiation therapy have an earning potential of $70,000 to $100,000 a year just a few years after high school graduation.

The Texas Workforce Commission’s Targeted Occupations by Board Area report shows that the demand for radiologic technologists and technicians is expected to increase by 24.9 percent by 2028. The first group of DHS students should be earning LMRT certifications by the 2025-2026 school year after completing the required coursework, which aligns perfectly with the increasing demand for radiologic technologists and technicians.

 The JET grant is also transforming the DHS welding program by allowing the district to purchase new equipment and safety gear and engaging students in project-based learning activities and participation in welding competitions. The district anticipates a significant increase in industry-based certifications through the American Welding Society. With these certifications, students can begin entry-level positions earning more than $50,000 per year with the potential to reach annual salaries of $93,000 plus as the students acquire additional experience and credentials.

“Dickinson ISD did not just receive a grant; we accepted a challenge and a responsibility to lead the way in technical education. Our goal is to formulate robust programs that other districts can replicate, creating a strong workforce that meets the needs of our state. We are trailblazers, and we accept this mission with enthusiasm and determination,” said Everett.

Dickinson ISD representatives attended a special presentation on Sept. 7 at Alvin Community College to accept a Jobs and Education for Texans Grant for more than $1.1 million through the Texas Workforce Commission. The grant has funded a new radiology imaging program and enhancements to the welding program at Dickinson High School. Pictured at the ceremony are, left to right, DHS student Hunter Hall, DHS Welding teacher Clay Menotti, DHS Radiology teacher Kristin Stewart, DISD Career and Technical Education Director Dr. Melissa Everett, Texas Workforce Commissioner Aaron Demerson, DHS student Isabella Vaughan, DISD Superintendent Carla Voelkel, DHS student Tania Palomo, DISD Deputy Superintendent for Educational Services Dr. Jeff Pack, and DHS Principal Courtney Ramirez. 

Dickinson High School juniors Isabella Vaughan and Tania Palomo speak with Texas Workforce Commissioner Aaron Demerson at a grant presentation ceremony Sept. 7. Both girls are in the school’s Introduction to Imaging class, which was started this year thanks to JET Grant funds the district received from the Texas Workforce Commission to purchase and install radiology equipment.

Texas Workforce Commissioner Aaron Demerson speaks with Dickinson High School students Tania Palomo and Isabella Vaughan, DHS Principal Courtney Ramirez, and DHS Radiology teacher Kristin Stewart after the check presentation ceremony for the Jobs and Education for Texans grants through the Texas Workforce Commission.