Training in forensics, cybersecurity supplement high school curriculum

HOUSTON – Students enrolled in the High School for Law and Justice, a
magnet school in the Houston Independent School District, are now taking eLearning courses offered by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) as part of their curriculum.

Twenty-two juniors and seniors studying criminal justice, and
their teacher, are taking Basic Criminal Investigation and Foundations of
Courtroom Testimony. “This gives the students the opportunity to take the same
training that law enforcement practitioners take,” said Christine Ramirez, Training
Manager of TEEX’s Texas Forensic Science Academy.

An additional 145 students recently registered for three TEEX
online cybersecurity courses, which are eligible for college credit through the
American Council on Education (ACE), said Tony Tasillo, Manager of Educational
Initiatives. The students are enrolled in criminal justice or computer
programming classes, he added. The online cybersecurity courses are DHS/FEMA-funded
and offered at no charge.

“It’s the first time a high school has supplemented its
curriculum with Texas Forensic Science Academy courses,” Ramirez said. “We
have a contract with Houston ISD for four years, and the program could expand
to other campuses.” The students’ fees for the online forensics courses are paid
by the school district’s Career and Technology Education program. 

This training will be a benefit for students seeking additional
training or careers in law enforcement after high school, Ramirez said. “It
will enhance their resume and show they have taken the initiative to get this
type of training.”

“The students can earn college credit through ACE and a variety of articulation agreements with universities,” Tasillo said. “And TEEX will gain new long-term customers by exposing them to what TEEX offers at an early age. We want them to keep coming to TEEX for continuing education for the rest of their career.”

TEEX is also in talks with a magnet school in Dallas ISD about
offering forensics courses to their students, and with Spring ISD about
offering both forensics and cybersecurity courses.