Webinar: New College and Career Curriculum for 2021–2022

Posted by Texas OnCourse on May 17, 2021 5:48:06 PM

Later this summer, we will release a new edition of the Texas OnCourse College and Career Curriculum. In this webinar, we provide a preview of the curriculum changes. We also discuss ideas from school districts on the best ways to engage students on college and career planning in middle school.

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Topics: Middle School, Educators, Curriculum Resources, Downloadable Resource

Finding a Career Cluster Quiz for Your Student

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Apr 9, 2021 5:00:18 PM

In Texas, career clusters are organized into related groups to allow students to select complementary endorsements through the Foundation High School Program. Once students determine the cluster that supports their career goals and pathway, the endorsement they will earn becomes clearer. Students can determine the career cluster for them by first exploring clusters and then taking a career cluster quiz or completing an assessment or activity.

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Topics: Middle School, Jobs and Careers, Educators

Hosting a Virtual Career Fair for Middle and High School Students

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Apr 7, 2021 1:28:41 PM

Career fairs in middle and high school used to conjure images of gyms bustling with booths and guest speakers, swag a-plenty. In post-COVID days, educators have pivoted to hosting virtual career fairs. We talked to two Texas educators who hosted virtual career fairs with great success. Whether you’re doing yours live through Zoom, putting videos together on Flipgrid, or making a Google Site for your students, here are some tips!

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Topics: Middle School, Jobs and Careers, High School, Distance Counseling and Learning

What You Need to Know About the Five Endorsements in Texas

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Mar 30, 2021 5:09:43 PM

As part of the Foundation Graduation Plan, Texas middle schoolers are required to declare an endorsement that will influence their path of study in high school. Because this can be a confusing topic for students and families, we’re here with up-to-date information on everything you need to know about the five endorsements in Texas.

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Topics: Middle School, Endorsements, Educators, Academic Planning

Webinar: Exploring Endorsements with Families

Posted by Allison Rizzolo, Texas OnCourse on Dec 14, 2020 6:17:11 PM

Endorsements have been around for a few years now, but they can still be a challenging concept to explain to students and their families. Fortunately, there are lots of resources on endorsements and academic planning to help you!

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Topics: Middle School, Webinar, Endorsements, Educators, Students and Families, College and Career Readiness Resources

Webinar: Essential Skills for Middle School Students

Posted by Thema Reed, Texas OnCourse on Nov 16, 2020 5:00:17 PM

More and more school districts are implementing career exploration and postsecondary planning in middle school in a variety of ways. In our November 2020 webinar, we shared tips on how to incorporate college and career planning in middle school classrooms. 

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Topics: Middle School, Webinar, Jobs and Careers, Educators

High School Endorsements: The Basics

Posted by Rose Frezza, Texas OnCourse on Sep 22, 2020 2:50:46 PM

What are endorsements? 

For parents and guardians, hearing that their eighth grader will have to select an endorsement can be confusing. After all, when today’s adults were in school, such a thing didn’t exist!

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Topics: Middle School, Endorsements, Educators, Students and Families

Advising Students with Disabilities: A Guide

Posted by Texas OnCourse Leader Fellow Misty Thomas on Aug 11, 2020 1:10:14 PM

Serving our students with disabilities can be an extra challenge in a virtual environment. This blog post, originally published in July 2019, will help you map out your supports for students with disabilities. 

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Topics: Middle School, Educators, High School

Our Updated College and Career Readiness Curriculum Has New Lesson Plans!

Posted by Rose Frezza, Texas OnCourse on Jul 28, 2020 3:17:47 PM

You may be aware of Texas OnCourse’s College and Career Readiness Curriculum, formerly referred to as the Middle School Curriculum Guide. This curriculum is designed to help educators teach college and career readiness in grades 6–8. To date, this resource has helped over 1,950 Texas educators meet TEKS requirements by using plug and play middle school lesson plans designed to make career exploration fun. 

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Topics: Middle School, Educators, Distance Counseling and Learning

Preparing Eighth Graders for High School

Posted by Rose Frezza, Texas OnCourse on Apr 28, 2020 3:46:46 PM

[UPDATED May 2021] The 2020-21 academic year has been unlike any other for students around the world. In particular, students making big transitions in the fall (like entering high school as a freshman!) are facing unique challenges.

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Topics: Middle School, Coronavirus, Distance Counseling and Learning