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

Staying on Course for College and Career during COVID-19

Posted by Rose Frezza, Texas OnCourse on Oct 21, 2020 11:04:43 AM

COVID-19 has been an education game-changer.

COVID-19 has rocked our world as educators. Schools have closed, in-person classes and activities have pivoted to virtual or hybrid, and as we struggle to keep up, we worry about our students falling behind. We are committed to serving the dynamic needs of Texas educators, particularly as it relates to college and career readiness. We provide consistently updated information on COVID-19 resources for Texas educators. We recognize that your students are becoming more independent and tech-savvy during the pandemic and are managing their time and education from home in many cases. Keeping them on track for postsecondary success is a top priority.

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Topics: College Planning, Educators, Coronavirus, Distance Counseling and Learning

Boosting FAFSA Completion with a Virtual Financial Aid Night

Posted by Rose Frezza, Texas OnCourse on Sep 29, 2020 12:57:48 PM

Normally this time of year, many high schools and districts would be hosting in-person financial aid nights to boost FAFSA completion. Because of social distancing guidelines, many of these sessions need to become virtual. Read on for tips on how to host one and what information to include.

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Topics: College Planning, Distance Counseling and Learning, Financial Aid

Tips for Virtual School Counseling during COVID-19

Posted by Rose Frezza, Texas OnCourse on Sep 15, 2020 3:42:11 PM

School is underway, and it’s looking different in many parts of Texas and the country. While some counselors and educators are delivering in-person support, most are entirely virtual or somewhere in-between, offering hybrid instruction. We decided to talk to six veteran Texas school counselors to collect tips for virtual school counseling during COVID-19.

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Topics: Educators, Coronavirus, Distance Counseling and Learning

COVID-19 Update: Financial Aid Tips during COVID-19

Posted by Rose Frezza, Texas OnCourse on Sep 14, 2020 11:02:34 PM

Financial aid season is quickly approaching. We want to make sure you’re teed up to help your students afford college. This week, we’ll walk you through some new and existing information and resources and review trusted financial aid tips during COVID-19.

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Topics: Finances, Educators, Coronavirus, Distance Counseling and Learning

Webinar: Adjusting to College Planning during COVID-19

Posted by Thema Reed, Texas OnCourse on Sep 14, 2020 4:38:31 PM

2020 has been full of unique challenges for educators and students. Many of you are juggling shifting deadlines, new enrollment processes, and new systems for sending students to college this year. In our September 2020 webinar, we break down how to help students plan for college during COVID-19 and share resources to keep you on track. More resources like those in this webinar can be found in the Texas OnCourse Academy under College Costs, Admissions and Application Process, and Financial Aid Application Process.

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Topics: Webinar, Educators, Coronavirus, Distance Counseling and Learning

COVID-19 Update: Resources for College Readiness during COVID-19

Posted by Rose Frezza, Texas OnCourse on Aug 27, 2020 4:54:02 PM

We’ll be taking a break from our live videos next week, as I’ll be away on vacation, but we’ll be back September 10 at 4 p.m.. As always, leave requests in the comments if there’s anything you like us to research. And if you find the videos helpful, like and share to help us spread the word!

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Topics: Applying to College, College Planning, Educators, Distance Counseling and Learning

Texas College Bridge: A Holistic Online Program for College Prep

Posted by Allison Rizzolo, Texas OnCourse on Aug 25, 2020 12:50:52 PM

In 2018, 121,000 Texas students graduated without demonstrating college, career, or military readiness. That number will likely be even higher in 2020 due to the effects of COVID-19. Students have been unable to take the ACT, SAT, or TSIA, or they may not have finished college prep courses given the limited ability of these courses to deliver remote instruction. 

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Topics: Applying to College, College Planning, Educators, Distance Counseling and Learning

COVID-19 Update: Free PD for Teachers during COVID-19

Posted by Rose Frezza, Texas OnCourse on Aug 21, 2020 1:52:38 PM

This week: we’re talking about free PD for teachers during COVID-19 from OnRamps and TEA, and a financial aid update from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

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Topics: Educators, Coronavirus, Distance Counseling and Learning

Helping Your Students with a College Prep Checklist during COVID-19

Posted by Rose Frezza, Texas OnCourse on Aug 18, 2020 1:28:48 PM

If you’re working with college-bound seniors this year, you’ll want to help them stay on track. With virtual schooling and uncertain variables popping up, we’re here to help with tips on crafting a college prep checklist during COVID-19.

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Topics: College Planning, Educators, High School, Distance Counseling and Learning