Educate Texas

This #HispanicHeritageMonth, we’re celebrating our partnership with the Region One Education Service Center (ESC 1). Their visionary efforts have been instrumental in advancing educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley for Hispanic and Latino students. Through collaborative initiatives like the Texas Network for School Improvement Rural Middle School Math Matters program and enhancements to dual credit pathways, Region One and RGV FOCUS are providing students with the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond. Together, we’re aligning education, workforce, and economic development strategies to drive lasting change in the Valley! Read more in the full RGV Focus Annual Report: edtx.org/

Access to higher education begins with the right resources! The Texas College Access Network (TXCAN) was thrilled to be a part of the "College Festival Turn Up" hosted by VICKERY MEADOW YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (VMYDF). TXCAN connected with first-generation students and their families, sharing financial aid resources and scholarship information to jumpstart their college journey. At Educate Texas, a Communities Foundation of Texas initiative, we’re committed to creating educational equity and increasing college access for all Texas students. Partnering with local organizations like VMYDF, Big Thought, and the University of North Texas helps us bring these opportunities to communities where it matters most. Learn more at edtx.org.

In honor of #HispanicHeritageMonth, we’re highlighting the power of partnerships to support educational progress in the Rio Grande Valley. Earlier this year, Educate Texas brought together 15 state and national funders to explore the region’s strengths and identify opportunities for impactful investment. From visiting ARISE Adelante to in-depth discussions on economic and educational change, the event showcased the RGV’s unique potential. These conversations are shaping the future for students in the region. Read more about the insights and opportunities identified in the full RGV FOCUS Annual Report: edtx.org

This #HispanicHeritageMonth, we recognize the powerful impact RGV FOCUS is having on students in the Rio Grande Valley. By working to improve opportunities for its primarily Hispanic student population, RGV FOCUS has helped districts draw down $28.5 million in Outcomes Bonus Funding (OBF) and provided essential support to over 1,300 teachers through the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA). Their work is paving the way for student success and innovation in the RGV! Learn more in the latest RGV Annual Report: bit.ly/3XG0LT2

Educate Texas remains at the forefront of addressing Texas's teacher shortage by empowering educators and ensuring that students receive high-quality instruction. Senior Director of Programs Dr. Priscilla Aquino-Garza recently spoke with The Texas Tribune Texas Tribune about the impact of uncertified teachers in classrooms, stating, "It’s not serving students to put people in those positions that don’t have the experience they need to be successful." Our efforts at Educate Texas focus on building strong pathways for teacher preparation, recruitment, and retention to ensure that every student has access to experienced and effective educators. Read the full article: bit.ly/3zek5xj

Support education this #NorthTexasGivingDay2024! ?? When you donate to Educate Texas, your contribution supports initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for K-12 and higher education students, especially those from underrepresented communities. Your donation today through September 19th will make a lasting impact on the lives of countless students. Give today at NorthTexasGivingDay.org and help us create a brighter future for Texas!

Educate Texas is helping students across Texas succeed through partnerships with the Texas Instruments (TI) Foundation and HCA Healthcare Foundation. At a recent Communities Foundation of Texas staff meeting, we were proud to showcase the impact of these invaluable collaborations. "Our mission has always been to give students opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have,” shared Chief Program and Engagement Officer Reo Pruiett. “By partnering with TI and the HCA Foundation, we’re making those opportunities real." The TI Foundation has committed over $23 million to districtwide STEM initiatives in southern Dallas County, helping students across multiple school districts gain the skills to succeed in the 21st century. In 2023, these programs saw 234 students earn associate degrees while still in high school. The HCA Foundation prepares students for careers in healthcare through P-TECH, providing dual credit and real-world healthcare experience. Jenny Martinez, a Fort Worth ISD graduate, shared her journey from high school to Texas Christian University. "P-TECH showed me that I could do more than I ever imagined,” shared Martinez. She is now pursuing a degree in biology to become a Physician Associate. Through these collaborations, we are building a future where students from all backgrounds can succeed. Together, we are shaping a stronger, more educated Texas! Learn more about our strategic partnerships: edtx.org

We're thrilled to share a new case study highlighting how Dallas College and Educate Texas are transforming the teacher preparation pipeline through innovative apprenticeship programs. By combining personalized learning with community engagement, we're not only enhancing educational outcomes but also creating pathways for aspiring teachers to enter high-demand careers. Through Career Connect TX and our Teaching and Leading programs, Educate Texas is committed to building sustainable, equitable education-to-workforce pathways. We believe that high-quality teaching is the most critical factor in student success, and our efforts are focused on preparing, developing, and retaining the best educators for Texas classrooms. Learn more about how we're making a difference: bit.ly/3yLJRsF

Educate Texas is revolutionizing how we prepare the next generation of educators and workforce leaders. Career Connect TX's latest case study highlights Brazosport ISD's innovative teacher apprenticeship programs, designed to attract untapped talent and provide career and economic mobility for students. Career Connect TX collaborates with leaders across the state to create work-based learning experiences, including those that connect aspiring educators with the teaching careers they seek. Discover more about how we're driving educational innovation and supporting future teachers: https://bit.ly/46TbegV

The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) recently spoke to Sr. Director of Policy & Advocacy Ryan Franklin on their six focus areas for effective clinical teaching. “Data are playing in conversations because we can establish common language around challenges, what’s working and what’s not," notes Franklin. "There’s a shared understanding of basic descriptive statistics about the state of play and student outcomes; we’re better positioned to have a discussion about the impact of educator prep in the state than we have ever been before.” Texas stands out for its efforts toward strong, transparent data systems in educator preparation. Our state publishes prep program data dashboards that include teacher candidates’ completion rates, employment, and retention outcomes. Learn more about clinical practice data and outcomes, alongside other key focus areas, in NCTQ's new Clinical Action Practice Guide: https://lnkd.in/erWekrdc