Photo features CollegeSpring students at Vanguard Academy.
Click here for the full article on the National Rural Education Association (NREA) website.
Six Texas school districts in Region One are partnering this year with the national non-profit CollegeSpring to support student achievement and college and career readiness at scale, providing every high school with in-school, teacher-led standardized test preparation. The participating districts are Edcouch-Elsa, La Villa, Lyford, Santa Maria, Santa Rosa, and Vanguard Academy. The partnership breaks down a critical barrier and will ensure that more students have access to tools that position them for post-secondary success.
Reinforcing foundational reading and math skills learned in the classroom and helping prepare students for the Digital SAT, ACT, TSIA2, and Dual Enrollment Readiness, the customized, high quality digital programs offered through CollegeSpring are administered by students’ teachers during the school day.
The partnership with CollegeSpring also helps unlock significant CCMR Outcomes Bonus funds (2019 TX House Bill 3) through increased test scores, which includes $5,000 per student who is economically disadvantaged and meets CCMR benchmarks.
Jeanette Lopez, Vanguard Academy Administrator: “I appreciate how easy it is to implement in the classroom. Teachers have access to materials and lessons that are ready to serve students with a variety of needs. No two classrooms are the same, and CollegeSpring allows for profoundly situational teaching.”
Brenda Cardenas; Edcouch-Elsa High School Teacher: “CollegeSpring is a great resource that supports students’ college readiness by providing test prep. The differential practices and additional practices provide students with immediate feedback. I am confident students’ overall test scores will improve.”
Reymundo Aguirre; Vanguard Rembrandt Teacher: CollegeSpring gives students awareness of what is being covered and helps students learn their strengths and weaknesses through the test diagnostic. The test taking strategies students learn are paramount. I feel this program is giving students a huge edge on getting the grade they want on the ACT. The modules really help the students practice.”
Victoria Olivarez; Vanguard Rembrandt Teacher: CollegeSpring is benefiting the students because they are getting familiar with the content from the test. The strategies provided by CollegeSpring help them approach the ACT questions more effectively. The platform is user-friendly, and everything is all in one place.I have had students who already took the ACT and they’ve been scoring 25 and above.”
Jeremiah Galvan; Edcouch Elsa High School Student: “CollegeSpring has helped me by providing reading practices, vocabulary, college essentials, organization, and I was able to recently pass my ELAR TSI.”
Said Yoon S. Choi, CEO of CollegeSpring: “Quality test prep should not just be for a select few. We believe that every student, regardless of their zip code, should have access to tools and resources that help them show their best work and be well-positioned for post-secondary success. Through our partnership with the district, thousands of highly talented students from diverse backgrounds will get their shot at college.”
Texas has the 11th lowest average SAT score in the U.S., based on 2022 test result data, and only 35% of 2021 test takers met TSI criteria. In addition to working with school districts in rural parts of the state, CollegeSpring has also partnered with Dallas ISD, Mesquite ISD, schools in Austin and Houston. Since 2022, CollegeSpring has served nearly 12,500 students in Texas, bolstering readiness benchmark attainment across the state.
