Educate Texas

Champions of Education: CFT’s Educate Texas is a trusted change agent in Texas education, working through programs and policies to ensure every Texas student is prepared in school, the workforce, and life. Through a partnership with the Richardson Healthcare Careers Academy (RCHA) and the Texas Education Agency to cultivate strong healthcare leaders, Educate Texas is providing professional development and technical assistance, leveraging our expertise to support the Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) program. Together with Richardson Independent School District and major healthcare partners like Methodist Richardson Medical Center, RHCA allows students to engage in practical training within a hospital environment, where they gain valuable experience in patient care and emergency response. “By their senior year, students are providing real patient care, responding to 911 calls, and performing CPR. They are truly saving lives,” said Dr. Shannon Ragsdale, RHCA campus instructor. Special thanks to Savannah Hollis, RHCA P-Tech Program Administrator and District CTE Coordinator, for her leadership and dedication to ensuring students are empowered with the skills and experiences needed to succeed in the healthcare field. Read more about their inspiring impact on local students at: https://lnkd.in/eE-8TDfA #CollegeCareerReadiness #CCR #PTECH #TexasEducation

When students understand their financial aid options, they can make informed decisions about their future. TxCAN, an initiative of Educate Texas, collaborates with uAspire to provide training, resources, and one-on-one guidance for students and educators. This partnership helps demystify the financial aid process, making higher education accessible for more Texas students. Explore how we’re working to ensure every student can pursue their potential: bit.ly/4gNSyTE #CollegeAccess #FinancialAid #HigherEducation

Strengthening Texas’ educator workforce starts with innovative teacher preparation. Educate Texas brought together leaders from Dallas College, Sam Houston State University, Prairie View A&M University, and Hutto ISD for a collaborative discussion on practice-based solutions, including registered teacher apprenticeships and Grow Your Own programs. Partnering with Deans for Impact (DFI), the conversation inspired bold strategies for building a sustainable pipeline of high-quality teachers. Discover how you can support innovative education solutions at edtx.org/get-involved #TexasEducation #TeacherPreparation #CollaborativeSolutions

Deputy Director of the Texas College Access Network (TxCAN), Jennifer Torres, represented Educate Texas at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's #TXHigherEDge2024 conference as part of the "Enhancing Student Financial Wellness: Insights and Strategies for Texas Students" panel. The session explored strategies to strengthen financial literacy and improve access to financial aid. Torres shared how TXCAN’s initiatives are raising awareness, training professionals, and delivering impactful tools to ensure students can thrive in their educational journeys. Join Educate Texas, an initiative of Communities Foundation of Texas, in transforming education and increasing opportunities for Texas students. Learn more: edtx.org/get-involved #HigherEducation #TexasStudents #Education #FinancialAid

Congratulations to Texas Instruments on 60 years of making a difference! Educate Texas and Communities Foundation of Texas are honored to collaborate with the TI Foundation to advance STEM education and opportunities for Texas students, and are grateful for Andy Smith's service on our Board of Trustees.

Socorro ISD's Mission Early College High School recently honored John Fitzpatrick for his transformative leadership in early college education. As the founding Executive Director of Educate Texas, John played a pivotal role in creating innovative models that have strengthened education for nearly two decades. Now, under the leadership of Kerri Briggs, Ph.D, Communities Foundation of Texas' Educate Texas is excited to carry forward the mission of empowering students and educators across the state. Read more: bit.ly/4fgRq9G

The Communities Foundation of Texas 2024 Annual Report, Champions of Community, is live — learn how Educate Texas is partnering with Richardson Independent School District's Healthcare Careers Academy to impact the healthcare workforce.

At Educate Texas, we know that hands-on programs can make all the difference in connecting students to future careers. During the 2024 CCRSM Leadership Summit, educators explored the Texas State Aquarium's Wildlife Rescue Center, gaining insights into the conservation-focused, STEM-aligned experiences available to Texas students. As part of Communities Foundation of Texas, Educate Texas is proud to champion educational opportunities that prepare students for success and contribute to building thriving communities for all. Learn more: bit.ly/3D0o6a4

The 2025-26 FAFSA application is now open, and students benefit greatly from expert guidance to navigate their financial aid journey. Educate Texas' Texas College Access Network is partnering with uAspire and Texas OnCourse to offer virtual training sessions focused on the new FAFSA changes, TASFA, and CSS Profile. The interactive sessions are designed for high school counselors, advisors, and anyone supporting students with financial aid. Learn more and register here: bit.ly/48AP2ZE As part of the Communities Foundation of Texas, Educate Texas is equipping professionals with the resources to make college access possible for every student.

Empowering students starts with providing the right resources. Educate Texas' Texas College Access Network (TxCAN) is dedicated to connecting educators, families, and students to tools that simplify the path to higher education. TxCAN's latest blog highlights how tools like Appily, a part of EAB help students explore colleges, discover scholarships, and make informed decisions—just in time for the FAFSA opening. Learn more: edtx.org/txcan-blog/ As part of the Communities Foundation of Texas, Educate Texas is committed to creating equitable access to education and driving systemic change for students statewide.