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

The new Texas OnCourse Academy is here

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Mar 24, 2021 3:54:16 PM

We’re thrilled to introduce the new Texas OnCourse Academy. We’ve made significant upgrades to improve your learning experience, and we’re excited to unveil the new and improved resource. Old links to the Academy will no longer function. Please update your bookmarks with this new URLhttps://texasoncourse.instructure.com/.

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Topics: Organizational Announcements

Webinar: Enhance Your Advising Practice for Military-Bound Students

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Mar 23, 2021 11:39:07 AM

When students decide to join the military, they have a few important decisions ahead of them. They must decide which branch to join, whether to enlist after high school or commission to become an officer, and choose what type of job they would like to do. For students to choose the path that is right for them, they must understand their options to determine what is best for their needs and interests.

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Topics: Grad Requirements, Webinar, High School, Military Enlistment and Careers

Six Things to Avoid When Applying for Scholarships

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Mar 9, 2021 12:57:09 PM

High school students have so much on their plate. If they’re pursuing some form of higher education, their last years of high school are likely to be filled with exams, applications, essays and one big question: How am I going to pay for this?

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Topics: Finances, High School, Financial Aid, Scholarships

Webinar: Understanding Statewide Programs of Study

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Mar 8, 2021 6:11:30 PM

Programs of study provide high school students with the opportunity to study their career field of interest in depth so that they are better prepared for postsecondary education and the workforce. A program of study is a comprehensive, structured approach for delivering academic and career and technical education (CTE).

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Topics: CCMR and Accountability, Jobs and Careers, Educators, High School

The Basics of CCMR in Accountability and Legislation

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Jan 27, 2021 5:01:08 PM

Texas leads the nation in the number of public policies designed to improve college, career, and military readiness (known around here as CCMR). The state’s emphasis on postsecondary readiness is also reflected in its accountability system, which includes a strong focus on CCMR indicators.

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Topics: Accountability

Earning and Spending CCMR Outcomes Bonuses

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Jan 27, 2021 4:47:14 PM

In 2019, the state legislature passed House Bill 3, the school finance bill. Among other items, the bill allocates funding to improve college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) for all students. This funding is known as the CCMR outcomes bonus. 

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Topics: Accountability

Texas A-F Accountability: Calculating the Domains

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Jan 27, 2021 4:46:19 PM

Texas’ A–F accountability system is built on three separate domains: Student Achievement, School Progress, and Closing the Gaps. Each domain receives a score, which is factored into a campus and district’s overall accountability grade.

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Topics: Accountability

The Basics of Admissions Tests and Placement Exams

Posted by Texas OnCourse on Jan 25, 2021 4:00:29 PM

Admissions tests have long been an essential part of the college application process. The admissions test process includes test prep, taking the actual test (sometimes multiple times), interpreting scores, and finally, submitting it to the institution of interest. In the era of COVID-19, testing cancelations and barriers to entry called for change. Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, thousands of colleges and universities nationwide have become “test-optional,” affirming that they will not penalize students for the absence of a standardized test score. Some of those schools are in Texas. Some will remain test-optional even once the pandemic passes.

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Topics: Applying to College, College Planning, Educators, High School, Entrance Exams