Career and Postsecondary Readiness

Welcome to Volume I of South Texas ISD’s Career and Postsecondary Readiness Newsletter for 2025–2026!

We’re excited to begin the school year with fresh updates, helpful resources, and inspiring opportunities to support every student’s path toward success.

The Career and Postsecondary Readiness Newsletter is designed to provide our South Texas ISD community with valuable information, resources, tips, and strategies to help students thrive both in and out of the classroom. We encourage all families and staff to read below and join us in guiding students as they prepare to be College, Career, Military, and Life Ready.

College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) is a state initiative that ensures students are well-prepared for life after high school—whether that path includes higher education, entering the workforce, or serving in the military. It emphasizes the skills, knowledge, and resources students need to explore a wide range of postsecondary opportunities.

In this newsletter, students and parents will find important information on graduation guidelines, CTE programs of study, industry-based certifications (IBCs), testing requirements, scholarships, college applications, and much more!

Endorsements

A student may earn an endorsement by successfully completing the following:

• Four credits in Mathematics

• Four credits in Science

• Two additional elective credits aligned with the curriculum requirements for the chosen endorsement

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from one of the following:

• Four or more Computer Science credits

• Four or more CTE credits with two courses in the same cluster, one advanced, and the last from the STEM cluster

• Algebra II plus two math courses for which Algebra II is a prerequisite

• Four or more science courses, including Chemistry, Physics, and two advanced science courses

• Algebra II, Physics, Chemistry, and three credits from a combination of two categories listed above

Business and Industry

A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from one of the following:

• Four or more CTE credits with two courses in the same cluster and at least one advanced from:

  • Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

  • Architecture & Construction

  • Arts, Audio/Visual Technology & Communications

  • Business Management & Administration

  • Finance

  • Hospitality & Tourism

  • Information Technology

  • Manufacturing

  • Marketing

  • Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

• Four English credits, including three levels in one of the following areas:

  • Public Speaking

  • Debate

  • Advanced Journalism (newspaper, yearbook, or literary magazine)

• Four Technology Applications credits

• A coherent sequence of four credits from a combination of the above categories

Public Services

A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from the following:

• Four or more CTE credits with two courses in the same cluster and at least one advanced from:

  • Education & Training

  • Government & Public Administration

  • Health Science

  • Human Services

  • Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

Arts and Humanities

A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from one of the following:

• Five Social Studies credits

• Four levels of the same Language Other Than English

• Two levels of the same language and two levels of a different language

• Four levels of American Sign Language

• A coherent sequence of four credits from courses in one or two categories of Fine Arts (Art, Dance, Music, Theatre)

• Four English credits from courses not applied to Business and Industry

Multidisciplinary Studies

A coherent sequence or series of courses selected from one of the following:

• Four advanced courses that prepare a student for the workforce or postsecondary education without remediation, from within one endorsement area or among endorsement areas that are not in a coherent sequence

• Four credits in each of the four foundation subject areas, including English IV and Chemistry and/or Physics

• Four credits in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or dual credit from English, math, science, social studies, economics, languages other than English, or fine arts

Note:

• A course applied toward the general requirements for an endorsement may also count as one of the four credits toward a specific endorsement.

• The same course may be counted toward the four-course requirement for multiple endorsements.

• Students who entered high school in the 2022-2023 school year or later may earn an endorsement by completing the specified course requirements for that particular endorsement.

In Texas, career clusters are broad groupings of occupations and industries that share similar knowledge and skills. They help students explore career options and plan their education and training.

At South Texas ISD we offer 10 available Career Clusters. Individual course descriptions and information regarding industry-based certifications are also available.

For more details on our STISD Career Clusters, click the link below:

https://www.stisd.net/about/cte

We offer 21 Programs of Study at South Texas ISD. Individual course descriptions and information regarding industry-based certifications are also available. Click on our program guide for more details.

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a statewide, legislative mandate designed to help Texas public colleges and universities determine whether incoming students—who do not meet an exemption—are prepared for entry-level coursework in English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR) and Mathematics. highered.texas.gov

The revised version, TSIA2, launched in January 2021. It combines the reading and writing sections into a single ELAR test, alongside a separate Math test

East Texas A&M University, ETAMU accuplacer.collegeboard.org

How the TSIA Process Works

1. Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA):
   Before testing, students must complete a required prep module that explains how the assessment works, includes practice questions, and outlines support options if college readiness isn't met—such as developmental or co-requisite courses

2. Adaptive, Untimed Test:
   The TSIA2 is delivered via a computer-adaptive format, which adjusts question difficulty based on student responses. It’s untimed, offering flexibility and reducing test-day pressure

3. Immediate Feedback:
   Most testing venues provide instant score reports, showing whether students meet readiness benchmarks or need additional support.

College-Readiness Benchmarks & Placement

• TSIA2 (post-2021) benchmarks:

  • Math: ≥ 950, or < 950 with a diagnostic level of 6

  • ELAR: ≥ 945 with Essay ≥ 5, or lower CRC with diagnostic ≥ 5 + Essay ≥ 5

Meeting these standards enables students to enroll in college-level courses immediately, without needing remediation

Benefits for Students

• Clear Placement Guidance: Helps students and advisors understand readiness status and course placement accurately.

• Avoid Delay in College Progress: Meeting benchmarks can prevent enrollment in remedial classes—saving time, effort, and cost.

• Exemption Flexibility: Students may be exempt from TSIA2 if they meet benchmarks on the SAT, ACT, STAAR EOCs (English III or Algebra II), complete certain college prep courses, have previous college credit, or fulfill other criteria such as military service

• Retake Opportunities: Students can retake the TSIA2 if needed to improve their placement, giving them a second chance to qualify for college-level course enrollment.

• World Scholars: Friday, September 26, 2025
• Science Academy: Thursday, September 18th, 2025 (Juniors & Seniors)
• Health Professions: Saturday, September 20th, 2025
• Medical Professions: Friday, September 5th, 2025 & September 19th, 2025
• Virtual Academy: Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 &Thursday (ELRA), September 25th, 2025 (Math)

All dates are subject to change.

The ACT is a widely accepted standardized test used for college admissions across the U.S. It evaluates students in key academic areas—English, Math, Reading, with optional Science and Writing sections—providing a reliable measure of readiness for college-level coursework. The test is scored on a 1–36 scale and aligns closely with K–12 educational standards to reflect what students actually learn in school.

Key Benefits of Taking the ACT

1. Acceptance & Flexibility

• The ACT is accepted by all U.S. colleges and universities, making it a versatile option for college applications.

• Students can choose to test online or via paper-and-pencil, depending on their comfort level—offering flexibility most other college entrance exams lack.ACT

2. Showcase Strengths & Improve Readiness

• With optional sections like Science and Writing, the ACT allows students to highlight their unique strengths and choose which part of their academic profile to emphasize.

• Detailed score reports can guide students and counselors in shaping course selections for the senior year, pinpointing strengths and improvement areas.

3. Scholarship & Placement Advantages

• A strong ACT score can qualify students for merit-based scholarships and help them bypass remedial classes in college—saving both time and money.

• Even at test-optional schools, submitting a solid score can boost admission chances, especially for certain programs or funding opportunities.

4. Supports Career and College Exploration

• ACT scores, along with tools in MyACT, offer insights into academic strengths and potential career paths—making it more than just an admissions exam.

5. Early Awareness and Growth

• Taking the ACT in the junior year provides ample time for preparation and retakes before college applications. It also helps students identify coursework adjustments early on.

6. Transparency & Practice Tools

• The ACT uniquely offers students the exact questions from the test taken, enhancing test prep with real examples.National Test Prep

• It’s also accompanied by resources like free daily practice questions and full-length tutorials—so students can build confidence before test day.ACT

The SAT, a standardized college admissions test created and administered by the College Board, has been in use since the mid-1920s. It evaluates students' readiness for college-level academics by measuring skills in Critical Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.

Texas Education Agency

Wikipedia

Offered primarily to juniors and seniors, the SAT plays a key role in admissions decisions for two-year and four-year universities, helping students qualify for scholarships and assess their preparedness for freshman-level coursework.

The SAT is scored out of 1600, with two sections (Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) each scored between 200 and 800. Each section score is determined by a raw score (number of correct answers) which is then converted to a scaled score. In addition to section scores, students also receive test scores (10-40) for Reading, Writing and Language, and Math, as well as optional essay scores.

Optional Essay:

If taken, the essay is scored separately, with three scores (reading, analysis, writing) each out of 8. These do not affect the total SAT score.

Percentiles:

Your score report includes percentiles, which show how your score compares to other test-takers.

Benefits of Taking the SAT

1. College Admissions & Scholarship Access

Many universities rely on SAT scores to make admission decisions and allocate scholarships. A strong performance can open pathways to prestigious institutions and financial aid opportunities.

2. Universal Benchmark for Comparison

The SAT provides a standardized measure that enables colleges to compare applicants from a variety of schools and backgrounds. It complements GPA and contextualizes academic achievement on a national scale.

3. Supports Statewide Educational Goals

The Texas Education Agency encourages students to take college-prep assessments like the SAT as a strategic step toward meeting the state's 60x30TX goal—where at least 60% of Texans ages 25–34 will earn a certificate or degree by 2030.

Texas Education Agency

4. Preparation and Strategic Testing Benefits

Students familiar with the PSAT/NMSQT often outperform on the SAT. Additionally, students can choose to send only their highest SAT scores to colleges, giving them control over their admissions profile.

5. Adapted Format & Access Enhancements

The SAT has transitioned to a digital, adaptive format, making the test shorter, more secure, and easier to administer. It includes a built-in calculator and adaptive questioning, which can reduce stress and improve accessibility, especially among students with learning differences.

6. Offsets GPA Disparities

A strong SAT score can help mitigate disparities in high school GPAs, especially for students coming from schools with varying levels of academic rigor. It serves as a leveling metric in college admissions.

With ACT and SAT links, students need to create/access their portal using their own credentials. If student cannot access their portal, they will need to call customer support.

The ASVAB is a timed, multi-aptitude test, which is given at more than 14,000 schools and Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) nationwide and is developed and maintained by the Defense Department (DoD).

The ASVAB helps the DoD not just determine whether you are a good fit to join the service, but also which service branch you might be best for and even what military jobs you can hold after you finish basic training or boot camp. The better your ASVAB score, the broader your options.

The better your ASVAB score, the more options you have. A very high score can give you a wide array of job options, some of which might come with special pay and bonuses. That means it's a good idea to study for the ASVAB and do your best to score well.

You don't just want to take the ASVAB. You also want to get a good ASVAB score that can help open doors to a wealth of military opportunities.

Which Military Jobs Do You Qualify For?

Click the link below to see which jobs you will qualify for.

https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab/asvab-scores-and-military-jobs.html

Note: The data listed here is subject to change and is only an example of how ASVAB scores are related to job selections for each of the service branches listed below.

"There are two types of ASVAB scores," according to the U.S. Army. "First, your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score determines whether you're eligible to join, and you'll need to score at least 31 to enlist. Second, your ASVAB category scores, called line scores, determine job opportunities based on your knowledge and skills in these 10 different areas."

How do I find scholarships?

You can discover scholarship opportunities by reaching out to the financial aid office at your chosen school, visiting your local library, or searching online. Just be cautious—ensure that any scholarship offers are legitimate, and remember that you shouldn't have to pay for scholarship or financial aid information. For tips on avoiding scams, check this link. avoid scams.

Try these free sources of information about scholarships:

• the financial aid office at a college or career school

• a high school or TRIO counselor

• the U.S. Department of Labor’s FREE scholarship search tool

• federal agencies

• your state grant agency

• your library’s reference section

• foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups

• organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest

• ethnicity-based organizations

• your employer or your parents’ employers

• Description: Rice University automatically considers all admitted freshmen for merit-based scholarships, which may cover up to the full cost of attendance.
• Eligibility: Texas high school seniors must gain admission to Rice; scholarship awards are based solely on academic merit and holistic review (GPA, rigor, achievements). Financial need is not part of the consideration.
• Deadline: Regular Decision deadline is January 1, 2026.
• Website: See Rice University’s admission pages for Rice-specific merit scholarship policies.

• Description: SMU offers merit scholarships that may include full tuition, fees, room and board, and study-abroad funding.
• Eligibility: Academic excellence and community engagement are key—no financial need required.
• Deadline: Admission application by November 1, 2025 (priority for merit scholarships); full admission application deadline by January 15, 2026.
• Website: Refer to SMU admission guidelines and scholarship pages.

• Description: A competitive merit-only scholarship that offers awards between approximately $5,400 and $75,000 per year, plus enrichment funds for study abroad, internships, research, leadership development, and networking.
• Eligibility: Awarded based entirely on academic merit, leadership, and character. Financial need is not considered. Applicants must be nominated or apply through a participating partner institution.
• Deadline: Varies by partner institution—typically during fall to early winter of your senior year (2025–2026). Confirm deadlines on individual university websites.
• Website: Refer to the Stamps Scholarship webpage and the websites of participating universities.

• Description: Offered by the Bryan Cameron Education Foundation, this award provides up to full tuition (up to $50,000 per year) for high school seniors demonstrating academic excellence and a commitment to public service careers.
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.7, strong work ethic, involvement in civic-minded activities, and plans for public service (e.g., education, government, healthcare, military). No financial need requirement.
• Deadline: Not explicitly stated in the source—typically, deadlines fall early in the senior year (check with the foundation’s official site).
• Website: See Bryan Cameron Education Foundation’s official scholarship page.

• Description: A prestigious, achievement-based scholarship awarded to high school seniors who demonstrate leadership, service, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their schools and communities. Each year, 150 students nationwide are selected to receive a $20,000 scholarship.

• Eligibility: Open to U.S. high school seniors (Class of 2026) with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or humanitarian parolees. Students graduating abroad (except at select DoD schools) and children/grandchildren of Coca-Cola employees or retirees are not eligible.

• Deadline: Application for the Class of 2026 opens August 1, 2025.

• Website: Coca-Cola Scholars Program

Want to Crush Your Next Test? Here’s How!

Testing doesn’t have to feel like a boss battle you can’t win—here’s how to level up your test-taking game:

1. Walk in like a champ. Study ahead so you feel ready. Confidence is like a cheat code for your brain—it helps you remember stuff better.

2. Sleep = Secret Weapon. All-nighters? Overrated. A solid night’s sleep will help you think clearer and recall facts faster. (Science says so!)

3. Close the books before go-time. Last-minute cramming = mental chaos. Instead, relax and save your brainpower for the actual test.

4. Pay attention to directions. Don’t lose points because you missed something simple—listen up when instructions are given.

5. Scope it out first. Do a quick “tour” of the test so you know what’s coming and how to pace yourself.

6. Skip, then slay. Stuck on a question? Move on and come back later—you might nail it once your brain warms up.

7. Stay cool under pressure. Feeling panicky? Pause, take a few deep breaths, or imagine you’re chilling on a beach.

8. Beat the clock smartly. Don’t stress if you can’t answer everything—focus on what you can do, then guess if you have to.

9. Done early? Double-check. Use that extra time to review—you might catch a mistake or add a brilliant detail.

Remember: Tests aren’t about being perfect—they’re about showing what you know. Prep smart, stay calm, and you’ll crush it!

Homework Without the Headache: How to Get It Done (and Still Have a Life)

Homework doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending chore! Here’s how to make it manageable—and maybe even painless:

1. Be the Boss of Your Homework. Keep track of what’s due and when. Use a planner, app, or sticky notes so nothing sneaks up on you (no more “Wait, THAT’S due tomorrow?!” panic).

2. Find Your Power Spot. Whether it’s a quiet corner at home or a library with Wi-Fi, pick a place where you can actually focus. Test a few spots—everyone’s “focus zone” is different.

3. Make a Game Plan. Set a daily homework time and stick to it. Turn it into a habit—like brushing your teeth, but less boring. Bonus tip: try to stay a day ahead—future you will thank you.

4. Break It Up (Before It Breaks You). Work in chunks (45–60 mins) with short breaks. Stretch, grab a snack, do a victory dance—whatever keeps you going strong.

5. Prep Before You Start. Gather what you need (books, notes, snacks!) and eliminate distractions. Phone on silent. Social media blocked. Brain: ready to roll.

6. Tackle Big Projects Bit by Bit. Don’t wait until the last minute. Do small pieces daily—it’s way less stressful than an all-nighter fueled by panic and caffeine.

7. Just Start. The hardest part is beginning. Once you’re rolling, it’s easier than you think.

Do this, and homework stops feeling like a monster chasing you—it becomes a checklist you get to conquer. High five, productivity champ!

Get Organized. Stay Sane. Succeed in School.

Want school to feel less like chaos and more like you’ve got this? Here’s how to organize like a pro:

1. Plan Like a Boss.

• Track it all: Use a planner or digital calendar to list every assignment, test, and deadline.

• Stick to a routine: Set regular times for studying, homework, and breaks—habits make life easier.

• Think ahead: Spend 30 minutes each week mapping out what’s coming up—future-you will thank you.

2. Create Your Focus Zone.

• Pick your spot: Find a quiet, distraction-free place to study.

• Stay tidy: Use folders, colors, and labels for each subject—no more “Where’s that paper?!” panic.

• Declutter weekly: Clean out your backpack and study space so you’re not drowning in old papers.

3. Master Your Workload.

• Prioritize: Do urgent and important tasks first.

• Chunk it down: Break big projects into smaller steps—it’s way less overwhelming.

• Take smart notes: Color-code, highlight, and organize notes so studying is easier later.

4. Focus Up, Then Chill.

• One thing at a time: Multitasking = slower progress.

• Take brain breaks: Short breaks keep you sharp and prevent burnout.

• Silence distractions: Put your phone on “do not disturb” or out of reach.

5. Prep for Tomorrow, Today.

• Pack ahead: Backpack ready, supplies set—start the day stress-free.

• Double-check: Review your work so you catch mistakes before turning it in.

Do this, and you’ll feel less stressed, more in control, and ready to crush the school year. Organization = power!

District Website: www.stisd.net

Facebook: www.stisd.net/about/cte

It is the policy of South Texas Independent School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in its vocational programs, services or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Es norma del Distrito Independiente de South Texas de no discriminar en sus programas, servicios o actividades vocacionales y brinda igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y otros grupos juveniles designados por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo o impedimento, tal como lo requieren el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; Título IX de las Enmiendas en la Educación de 1972, y la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, según enmienda.