Our History
Today’s TEEX courses trace their origins to early vocational education at Texas A&M, beginning with industrial teaching programs in 1919 and fire training courses in 1930. Rooted in the Morrill Act of 1862, these efforts reflect a long-standing commitment to practical, workforce-focused education. TEEX continues this mission by providing occupational and technical training to Texans through an extension-based model.
Timeline
1862 – 2014
1862
Morrill Act
Legislation known as the Morrill Act is mandated “to promote the liberal practical education of the industrial classes in several pursuits and professions of life.”
1914
Smith-Lever Act
The Smith-Lever Act specifically establishes extension services to “give instruction and practical demonstration to persons not attending or residents in said colleges and imparting to such persons information on said subjects through field demonstrations, publications and otherwise.”
1917
Smith-Hughes Act
Congress passes the Smith-Hughes Act establishing public vocational technical education. The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas begins a trade and industrial teacher training service.
1919
TEEX is Created
Methods of Teaching Industrial Education is one of two courses offered under the supervision of the Department of Agricultural Education, ultimately leading to the creation of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.
1924
School of Vocational Teaching established
A School of Vocational Teaching including rural, agricultural and industrial departments is established.
1925
The Industrial Education Department closes in the spring to be reopened in October and charged with developing effective industrial teacher training. Soon after, training conferences for foremen of oil field production crews are offered to improve job planning and work supervision in the rapidly developing East Texas oil fields.
1929
Firefighter Training School Established
The State Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association and the Texas Legislature establish a permanent firefighter training school at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas.
1930
Firefighter training begins on the Texas A&M campus. It will be incorporated into the Industrial Extension Service programs in 1947.
1948
TEEX Joins the Texas A&M System Officially
In its July meeting, the Texas A&M College Board of Directors changes the Industrial Extension Service to the Engineering Extension Service as part of the Texas A&M College System. TEEX is charged with responsibility for providing occupational and technical training services to comply with the original Land Grant College Act, also known as the Morrill Act.
1998
TEEX Becomes Home to NERRTC
TEEX becomes home to the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center.
2014
As a member of The Texas A&M University System, TEEX programs include fire and emergency services, homeland security, public safety and security, public works, safety and health, search and rescue, and knowledge engineering. TEEX also sponsors Texas Task Force 1.