#United States #Texas #OneGoal #Texas Impact Network #Rural Texas

A New Era for Rural Education in Texas

In a groundbreaking new initiative, OneGoal has joined forces with the Texas Impact Network (TIN) to bring significant changes to educational systems in rural Texas. This partnership aims to strengthen college and career readiness among high school students in ten rural school districts. This strategic alliance represents a monumental step towards addressing the disparities in postsecondary educational outcomes that many students encounter in underserved regions.

The Districts Involved

The inaugural districts participating in the statewide OneGoal Leadership Network for the 2024-2025 academic year include Anahuac ISD, Anderson-Shiro CISD, Buna ISD, Channing ISD, Lake Dallas ISD, Marathon ISD, Mercedes ISD, Newton ISD, Rio Hondo ISD, and West Sabine ISD. Furthermore, TIN plans to enable ten more rural districts to join the initiative at no financial cost for the 2025-2026 school year, amplifying the reach of this impactful program.

Tailored Support for Enhanced Outcomes

Through this collaboration, participating districts will gain access to tailored support aimed at fortifying their college and career advising frameworks. OneGoal’s innovative approach focuses on creating sustainable pathways that empower high school students by equipping them with essential knowledge and resources. TIN’s commitment is to enhance their support systems, enabling local leaders to cultivate long-lasting strategies that hold students accountable post-graduation.

Lynette Balkcom, director of the Rural CCMR Accelerator Program at TIN, emphasized, “School leaders in rural districts wear many hats. Our goal is to equip them with the support they need to help students succeed beyond high school.” This collaborative effort reinforces the belief that strong leadership is fundamental to facilitating positive student outcomes.

Comprehensive Resource Allocation

As part of the OneGoal Leadership Network, participating districts can expect expert assistance in developing customized improvement plans and strategic methodologies geared towards boosting key metrics. Notably, these include FAFSA and TASFA completion rates, enrollment levels in dual credit courses, TSI Assessment readiness, and overall benchmarks for college, career, and military readiness (CCMR).

“We’re thrilled to expand OneGoal’s impact in Texas and to work with dedicated district leaders across the state,” stated Alex Dailey, executive director of OneGoal. The partnership offers participating districts free coaching and strategic planning, which can lead to meaningful advancement in students' preparedness for higher education and the workforce.

The Significance of Access to Postsecondary Education

Access to quality postsecondary education services is a critical determinant of future successes for students and their communities. Unfortunately, the data reveals a glaring gap: only 22% of students from low-income backgrounds achieve a postsecondary degree compared to 67% of their high-income counterparts. This disparity is largely attributed to a lack of resources and opportunities rather than a deficiency of talent.

High school students are often afforded a mere 38 minutes each year of college and career advising. With student-to-counselor ratios typically reaching 1,451, many students do not receive the level of support needed to make informed decisions about their futures.

Opening Doors for All Texas Students

In an effort to raise awareness and enlist more schools and districts into the OneGoal Leadership Network, Texas-based institutions are invited to apply for their chance to participate. The initiative not only aims to bolster resources available to rural districts but also emphasizes collaboration among regional partners. TIN’s established mission is to enable local stakeholders to tap into valuable resources and share best practices for achieving sustainable educational improvements.

Furthermore, the Rural CCMR Accelerator Program serves to address multifaceted, policy-oriented challenges while introducing legislative opportunities aimed at significantly enhancing access and lowering barriers for students aiming to pursue a college education. An impressive 75% of Texas school systems currently serve fewer than 2,000 students, illustrating the need for targeted, scalable solutions.

A Vision for the Future

Through this active partnership, OneGoal strives to redefine the landscape of postsecondary advising and support, ensuring every student can navigate their unique future paths confidently. OneGoal works hand in hand with educational institutions to build their knowledge and capacity — ultimately resulting in more equitable and effective support for all students.

The organization proudly documents its success: 80% of OneGoal graduates enroll in a postsecondary institution, and 72% of those students persist in their studies for at least one year beyond high school.

For educators, administrators, and community members interested in exploring OneGoal’s solutions and resources, further information is available at OneGoal.org. The commitment to empower and equip rural Texas school districts marks a significant advancement toward bridging the educational opportunity gap as the initiative unfolds over the coming years.