CollegeSpring Receives More Than $430,000 from Greater Texas Foundation to Expand College Readiness in the Rio Grande Valley
Investment will support scalable test preparation partnerships to improve college, career, and military readiness for thousands of students
Rio Grande Valley, TX (March 24, 2026) — CollegeSpring, a national nonprofit dedicated to closing opportunity gaps in college readiness, has been awarded more than $430,000 from the Greater Texas Foundation to expand access to high-quality SAT, ACT, and TSIA2 preparation for students in the Rio Grande Valley.
The investment will support a scalable, regional approach to ensure economically disadvantaged and first-generation students can access the education and credentials that drive long-term economic mobility for their families and communities.
Through new partnerships with Region One Education Service Center and RGV Focus, CollegeSpring will strengthen College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) across the region. By the third year of the initiative, the partnership is expected to support 300 educators and more than 20,000 students in ESC Region One.
“Region One ESC has partnered with CollegeSpring to continue implementing research-based strategies and resources to strengthen school system academic support that ensures graduates are ready for college and meaningful careers,” said Dr. Daniel P. King, Region One ESC Executive Director. “Meaningful progress in college and career readiness happens when organizations bring their strengths together. This collaborative model builds capacity within school systems and creates a scalable approach we can replicate across the region.”
Addressing a critical readiness gap
Across Texas, the need for stronger college readiness is urgent. According to the 2023 State of Readiness Report by Texas 2036 and the George W. Bush Institute, 70% of Texas jobs will require a postsecondary credential by 2036, yet only 14% of economically disadvantaged students earn a credential within six years of high school.
In the Rio Grande Valley, readiness gaps remain. In 2023:
- 8%of ESC Region One graduates took the TSIA2
- Only1% met college readiness benchmarks in both math and reading
- Among economically disadvantaged students, just7% met both benchmarks
These outcomes are driven by inconsistent preparation, limited teacher training, misaligned curriculum, and a lack of embedded readiness support within core instruction.
“Students in the Rio Grande Valley have tremendous potential, but too many face barriers to demonstrating their readiness for college and career pathways,” said Dr. Yoon S Choi, CEO, College Spring. “This investment from Greater Texas Foundation allows us to partner locally to embed proven preparation into classrooms and equip educators with the tools they need to help students succeed.”
A proven solution with regional impact
CollegeSpring’s educator-led model equips teachers with training, curriculum, and data tools to integrate test preparation directly into classroom learning. The approach is already delivering results: CollegeSpring students, who are predominantly economically disadvantaged, are matching or exceeding national averages for similar demographics, helping close long-standing readiness gaps.
“Strengthening college readiness isn’t just about test scores, it’s about expanding opportunity,” said Sue McMillin, President and CEO of Greater Texas Foundation. “This partnership helps ensure more students in the Rio Grande Valley are prepared for the education and careers that will shape Texas’s future.”
By transforming college readiness outcomes at scale, the initiative will expand pathways to higher education, technical training, military service, and high-demand careers, helping students who need it most unlock opportunity for their future.
About CollegeSpring
CollegeSpring is a national nonprofit that equips educators and students with the tools needed to improve college readiness and expand postsecondary opportunities. Through school and district partnerships, CollegeSpring delivers proven SAT, ACT, and TSIA2 preparation programs designed to close opportunity gaps and increase access to college and career pathways.
About Greater Texas Foundation
About Greater Texas Foundation: Greater Texas Foundation is a private foundation based in Bryan, Texas, that supports efforts to ensure all Texas students are prepared for, have access to, persist in, and complete a postsecondary education. Since its 2001 inception, the foundation has approved more than $150 million in grants to support Texas students. For more information, visit https://www.greatertexasfoundation.org/
