Our Mission
Our mission is to build a space where small, rural districts work together, embodying the heart and strength of rural Texas to compete and to prepare and support students, educators, and communities in the creation of a vibrant and successful Permian Basin regional economy.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create opportunity, access, experience and outcomes for all.
Who We Are
The Permian Basin Innovation Zone is a Grow Our Own Initiative of the Education Partnership of the Permian Basin. PBIZ takes an innovative approach to addressing barriers faced by rural communities. Modeled after the highly successful Rural Innovation Zone, we seek to increase student access to Career and Technical Education and place students in high-wage, high-demand jobs while simultaneously bolstering local, rural economies. While examples of co-ops exist within this work, the Permian Basin Innovation Zone is a formal collaboration codified through signed MOUs between four independent school districts (Crane, McCamey, Buena Vista, and Grandfalls-Royalty), two institutions of higher education (Midland College and Odessa College), and business industry leaders that takes a research-based approach that will be a game changer for the rural districts in our collaborative.
Who We Serve
The Permian Basin Innovation Zone is a rural collaborative that serves rural communities across the Permian Basin by offering Career and Technical Education that meets regional demands. Nationally, Texas has more schools in rural areas than any other state, with more than 20% of campuses located in rural areas. However, these districts face distinct challenges such as lack of industry exposure and budget constraints. Instead of shying away from these challenges, PBIZ brings together educators and business leaders to serve rural students and communities.
Our collaboration reinvents the way rural districts in the region can effectively and efficiently utilize public resources to provide an outstanding Career and Technology Education experience for students.
What We Do
The Permian Basin Innovation Zone uses up-to-date labor market analysis plus local industry demands to develop Career and Technology Education Pathways for our students. These Pathways expand student opportunities to credentials and professional certifications, higher education, and work-based experiences. Our goal is to meet student needs and the needs of our region.
To accomplish this, each district specializes in a Career and Technology Education pathway and works collaboratively to share faculty, resources, and funding despite district boundaries.
The PBIZ takes a “phase-in” approach to the development and launch of Career and Technology Education pathways and innovative experiences.
2023-2024
Grow Your Own Educator Academy
- Education Aide
- Associate of Arts in Teaching
Medical Academy
- Nursing
Manufacturing Academy
- Welding
2024-2025
Energy Academy
Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics Academy
- Drone
- Auto Mechanics
*Subject to change with community and district input
By building bridges across rural communities in the Permian Basin, the Permian Basin Innovation Zone offers PBIZ Academics that increase opportunities for students in rural school districts.
Interested in getting involved or want more information?
Contact PBIZ Director Sara Saleem at ssaleem@educatepb.com.
Our Partners
