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Day 4: Ratteree Automotive Pathway Deep-Dive

Lesson Overview
Time 50 minutes
Objectives Understand how the Irving ISD Ratteree automotive pathways work; compare starting automotive training in HS vs. waiting until after graduation; research at least one trade school option (UTI, Lincoln Tech, or TCC)
TEKS d(2)(B), d(3)(G)
Deliverable Completed Cardwell vs. Trade School comparison notes showing time, cost, and outcomes for both options
Materials Chromebooks, Irving ISD Ratteree program info (district website), UTI website (uti.edu), Lincoln Tech website, Tarrant County College automotive program page, printed Cardwell vs. Trade School comparison notes template, projector

Warm-Up (5 min)

WARM-UP: Have you heard of Ratteree before? What do you know about the programs offered at Irving ISD's career centers?

Take 4-5 student responses. Most students have heard the names but do not know what the centers actually do. Bridge: today is the closest most of you will get to walking inside a real automotive shop until you start the program in 9th grade.

Activity 1: Irving ISD Ratteree Automotive Pathways (18 min)

Source: Irving ISD Career Centers. Ratteree program pages

[VERIFY] Confirm with your district CTE coordinator the current program details for Cardwell and Ratteree automotive offerings, schedule format, transportation options, and certification outcomes. The Irving ISD CTE department updates these annually.

Project the Ratteree program info on the screen. Cover the structure:

  • Three automotive pathways offered:
    1. Automotive (Auto Tech Levels 1-4)
    2. Diesel & Heavy Equipment
    3. Collision Repair / Auto Body
  • How it works: Students attend their home high school for half the day and travel to Ratteree for the other half (AM or PM session). The center is a real automotive shop with bays, lifts, tools, and live vehicles.
  • What students do: Hands-on work on actual cars and trucks. Engine diagnosis, brake repair, electrical work, body repair, painting, paint matching.
  • Certifications: Students prepare for ASE entry-level exams. Some students earn ASE before graduation.
  • Industry partnerships: Local dealerships (Ford, Chevrolet, dealers across DFW) often hire program graduates directly. Some students walk into $40K+ jobs the day after graduation.
  • Cost to the student: Free (it is part of Irving ISD curriculum).

Students take notes on their printed comparison template. The Ratteree column captures: - Time to complete: ~3 years (10th-12th grade) - Cost: $0 - Credential earned: HS diploma + ASE entry-level + on-the-job experience - Income while in the program: $0 (it is school) - Employability after graduation: Direct dealership hire possible - Best fit for: Students who know they want trades and want to start ASAP

Activity 2: Trade School Research (20 min)

Students choose one trade school option to research and fill in the second column of their comparison template. Options:

  • Universal Technical Institute (UTI): National automotive trade school chain. Locations across the US, including the Houston area. Programs include automotive, diesel, collision, and motorcycle.
  • Lincoln Tech: Another national chain. Programs in automotive technology and diesel.
  • Tarrant County College (TCC): Automotive Technology program: Local community college option in DFW with much lower cost than UTI/Lincoln.

Students browse the chosen school's website and capture: - Time to complete: Typically 6-24 months for certificate programs, 2 years for AAS degree - Cost: UTI ~$30K-$50K, Lincoln Tech ~$25K-$45K, TCC ~$3K-$8K - Credential earned: Certificate, diploma, or AAS degree + ASE prep - Income while in school: Usually $0 (full-time student) - Employability after: Many programs guarantee interviews; UTI advertises high placement rates - Best fit for: Students who did NOT go through Ratteree and want intensive post-HS training

After both columns are filled in, students write a 2-3 sentence comparison: "If I were sure I wanted to be an auto technician, I would choose _ because . The biggest difference between the two options is __."

Facilitation Tip

The Ratteree comparison usually wins on cost (free vs. $30K+) but loses on intensity (a few hours per day vs. full-time). Both options are legitimate. Make sure students understand that picking trade school after HS is also valid if they did not choose the CTE pathway in 9th grade.

DOK 2: How would you describe the difference between starting your automotive training in HIGH SCHOOL at Cardwell versus waiting until after graduation to attend a trade school? What is the financial impact?

Exit Ticket (7 min)

EXIT TICKET (Diagnostic MCQ with Misconception Distractors) · Printable PDF:

Scenario: Dani is a 9th-grader at Nimitz. She loves taking apart her family's car and wants to be an auto technician. Her family cannot pay $30,000 for tuition after high school.

Question: Based on what you learned today, what is the BEST next step for Dani?

  • A. Wait until after graduation and take out a loan for UTI or Lincoln Tech.
  • B. Apply to Ratteree in 10th grade and earn ASE-ready training during high school at no cost.
  • C. Transfer to a 4-year university program after high school because auto careers require a degree.
  • D. Wait until senior year to decide so she can explore more careers first.

Circle your answer. In one sentence, explain why the OTHER three choices are weaker for Dani's situation. (d(2)(B), d(3)(G))

Differentiation

  • Support: Pre-filled comparison template with the Cardwell column already completed (since students cannot easily research it). Students fill in only the trade school column. Pair with a peer for the website navigation.
  • Extension: Build a 5-year cost projection, total spending for a Cardwell graduate vs. a UTI graduate, including tuition, lost income during training, and earnings after credentialing. Which one comes out ahead financially after 5 years?
  • ELL: Bilingual comparison template with Spanish column headers. Pre-teach: Trade school = Escuela técnica, Tuition = Matrícula, Hands-on = Práctico, Credential = Credencial. UTI website has Spanish content available, check the language toggle.