Insights From Texas Educators
On the Path to Student Success in Texas Higher Education
We conducted a survey with over 200 educators in higher education across Texas to explore the key factors influencing student success, and the data is clear—student success goes beyond academic performance and grades. It's about preparing students for their careers, fostering personal growth, and helping them navigate educational pathways with ease.
Explore the Findings
Program Alignment with Career & Personal Goals
Students want to know that what they learn on campus will prepare them for their future careers. Over 80% of respondents ranked the following as key factors for supporting curriculum and career alignment:
Key Factors
Well-defined Academic Pathways
Students need personalized learning paths that help them build upon their academic and career goals while also earning industry-recognized credentials in their chosen field.
Belonging in the Learning Community
Educators agree that student success doesn’t end and begin on campus, and emphasize the importance of fostering a sense of community and connection
Setting Educational Goals
Creating personalized learning pathways aligned to students’ career goals helps students visualize where they are, and where they’re going.
For students to succeed, it is very important to identify a pathway for them. Students need to know what courses they need to take to be successful.
Instructional Designer,
Regional University in East Texas
Seamless Transitions to Higher Education
Continuity in education is critical. Of our survey respondents, 67% indicated that having strong partnerships and alignment between K-12, 2-year, and 4-year institutions positively impacts student success and boosts academic productivity.
Here are Three Ways to Bolster
Educational Continuity
Technology consistency
K-12 schools and universities using the same LMS (Learning Management System) allows students to continue their education in a familiar digital environment.
Dual enrollment
Empowering students to experience college-level learning in high school helps them prepare for the transition to higher education and broaden their career interests.
Strong partnerships
The connection between K-12 and Higher Education institutions enables seamless transitions for students, providing familiar learning experiences and built-in community support.
As a college pathways program working with K-12 students, we design courses on the LMS that are the same as what a student will experience in college to prepare them for the transition to college. It is important for them to learn how to navigate in a course so when they start college they see something that is familiar.
Instructional Designer,
Dual Enrollment Program at Public University in Central Texas
Comprehensive Student Support
Student support comes in many forms, the most common being access to financial resources, technology tools, and well-designed courses. Nearly all (96%) of survey respondents said that equipping students with the technology they need is important, as it provides equitable access to learning and promotes continuity whether students are learning on campus or online.
Top Two Academic Factors
Impacting Student Success
Although technology provides a strong foundation for learning, having access to engaging content and instruction follows close behind in importance.
Engaging Content/Instruction
Using a variety of course content such as videos, discussion boards, and quizzes can boost engagement by catering to different learning styles and providing opportunities for connection.
Well-designed Courses
When it comes to course design, students benefit from clear learning objectives, organized modules that allow them to build upon their skills, meaningful assessments to check for understanding, and of course, accessible design that accommodates a diverse set of learners.
We are focused on making students more successful by making faculty more successful in using the LMS and offering well-designed courses.
Director of Teaching and Learning Technology,
Public University in Central Texas
SEE OTHER INSIGHTS FROM 200+ EDUCATORS ON
Shaping the Future of Texas Higher Education: The Path from Campus to Career
Powering Future-Ready Education with Instructure
Please visit the Texas Research Overview page to learn more about the survey methodology and respondent demographics.