The Texas OnCourse Educator Blog

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!

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. 

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.

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.

Hi everyone, and welcome to this week’s Facebook broadcast of the most recent information and resources regarding college and career planning in the time of COVID-19. Today we're talking specifically about college prep during COVID-19.

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. 

This week, we're focusing on TEA updates on COVID-19.

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. 

The spread of coronavirus has resulted in a plethora of educational pivots since March, and the college admissions process has been no exception. With SAT and ACT testing dates canceled or postponed and testing centers closed, institutes of higher education have reconsidered the role that these exams play in admissions.

Right before I left for vacation in March 2018, my supervisor called me into his office and said, “Mia, Dr. Lathan wants to create a comprehensive college and career readiness program for middle school students.” My heart leaped with joy. That’s right. News of a brand-new program I’d be charged with developing the day before vacation made me joyous. Here’s why.