Future Pathways Vol. 2 CCMR
College, Career, and Military Readiness
What is CCMR?
In LISD, our vision for students is clear. We want to graduate confident young adults equipped with the knowledge and skills to thrive and adapt for their future. For some students, this future involves continuing their education on a college campus. For other students, the future might mean immediate entry into the workforce. And for others, the future might mean enlistment in the Armed Forces to serve our country.
Regardless of the pathway our students pursue - College, Career, or Military - LISD strives to ensure student readiness for any of these future endeavors. College, Career, & Military Readiness (CCMR) is about preparing students for life after graduation and is integrated into the everyday culture of LISD.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has defined a set of indicators that students can earn in high school to be considered college, career or military ready. Continue reading to understand what the various acronyms represent listed below.
TEA Readiness indicators are achieved by one or more of the following:
- Meet criteria of scoring a 3 or higher on AP examinations
- Meet TSI (Texas Success Initiative) criteria via test scores with the following test platforms: SAT, ACT, TSIA-2, or by earning College Prep Course in English and/or Math course in 12th grade.
- Complete and earn credit in a dual credit course (9 hours in any subject or 3 hours of English or mathematics)
- Earn an associate degree (Collegiate Academy @ The Colony High School)
- Earn an industry-based certification (IBC) and Complete a program of study in CTE
- Graduate with completed IEP and workforce readiness
- Enlist in one of the armed forces
Key Terms
CCMR: College, Career, and Military Readiness www.lisd.net/ccmr
DUAL CREDIT: Courses that count for both high school and college credit. Courses vary per campus. LISD partners with Collin College and with North Texas Central College. https://www.lisd.net/secondary-curriculum/secondary-curriculum/advanced-academics-dual-credit
AP: refers to Advanced Placement. It is a program developed by the College Board that offers college-level courses and exams to high school students. These courses are designed to be more challenging than standard high school classes and can potentially earn students college credit or advanced placement when they go to college. Check with each college or university regarding what courses and exam scores they accept for credit. In order to demonstrate College Readiness for the state, students must earn a score of a 3 or above on the AP exam. https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/what-is-ap AP course offerings vary by each LISD high school campus.
PSAT (Practice Scholastic Aptitude Test): this is a practice test for the college admissions exam, the SAT from the College Board organization. In LISD, students will take a practice PSAT 8/9 in 8th grade and a PSAT exam in 10th grade. Students have the option to register for the exam in 11th grade which counts towards possible scholarships with the National Merit Scholarship Program. All LISD students that took the PSAT 8/9 will have a College Board account that allows them to view scores and take practice tests. Look for more information from your campus by email regarding PSAT testing opportunities.
SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test): standardized test from the College Board organization that are often required by 2 year colleges and 4 year universities. It is recommended that students take this test after completing Algebra 2 in 11th grade, summer between 11th/ 12th grade, or in the Fall of 12th grade. Registration for testing and more information is found on this website: https://www.collegeboard.org/ Students can choose take the SAT or ACT or both for college admissions. Check with the university or college that you are applying to regarding testing requirements and submission of scores.
ACT (American College Testing): another timed standardized test option from ACT, Inc. for college admissions that are often required by 2 year colleges and 4 year universities. Students can take the SAT or ACT or both for college admissions. Can be taken after completing Algebra 2 in the spring of 11th grade and/or fall of 12th grade.Registration for testing and more information is found on this website: https://www.act.org/content/act/en-texas.html Students can choose take the SAT or ACT or both for college admissions. Check with the university or college that you are applying to regarding testing requirements and submission of scores.
TSI (Texas Success Initiative): TSI typically refers to the Texas Success Initiative, a state-mandated program for Texas public colleges and universities to assess incoming students' readiness for college-level coursework in reading, writing, and mathematics. It helps ensure students are prepared for the demands of college-level courses. There is an assessment that students can take called the TSIA-2 in high school after completing English 3 and Algebra 2. The TSIA-2 is required by most community colleges and Texas 4 year colleges if students do not submit qualifying SAT or ACT scores.
CTE (Career and Technical Education): Courses that provide students with real-world experiences and hands-on training to help them begin identifying possible career choices. CTE courses are found at every secondary campus and specialized CTE courses are found at LISD TECC centers. https://www.lisd.net/cte
IBC (Industry Based Certification): An industry-based certification (IBC) is a credential that validates an individual's skills and knowledge in a specific field, often tied to a particular career cluster or occupation, and is measured against industry-recognized standards. Examples of some IBCs students can earn while completing a CTE Program of study include:
- NRF- Customer Service and Sales: Certified Specialist
- AMSA- Food Safety and Science
- ServeSafe Manager
- Certified Veterinary Assistant Level 1
- NCCER HVAC Level 1
- Certified Medical Assistant
- Certified Pharmacy Technician
- Cosmetology Operator License
- Code HS Cybersecurity Level 1
- COMP TIA Security+
- and much more! Check out CTE Pathways Document
College Readiness
If college is a future step, students have many opportunities in LISD to develop a set of knowledge, skills and behaviors that a student should have as they prepare for their first year of college. These skills are introduced and nurtured in elementary school and developed in middle and high school as students explore opportunities for challenging coursework.
Secondary students have a wide variety of courses to choose from based on their future goals. In the core content areas, LISD is proud to offer a variety of Honors courses that are open to all secondary students. The purpose of these courses is to meet the needs of students eager to engage in a challenging curriculum as they consider multiple pathways that will lead to future college and career success. Honors courses allow students to prepare for college level courses in high school (AP & Dual Credit). For more information regarding Honors, AP, and Dual Credit Courses use this linked resource: Advanced Academics
TEA College Ready Indicators include one or more of the following:
Score 3 on any AP exam in grades 9-12
Dual Course Credit- 3 hours of dual course credit in ELA or Math OR 9 hours of dual course credits accumulated across subjects
Earn an Associate’s Degree prior to graduation (Collegiate Academy at The Colony HS)
Graduate under an advanced degree plan and be identified as a current special education student
Meet a TSI (Texas Success Initiative) Requirement in both English and Math. Note: Algebra II is a prerequisite course for TSI math indicators. Students Must meet ONE TSI Reading AND ONE TSI Math Indicator. Qualifying scores can be combined from different indicators.
- TSI English Indicators: TSIA2 Eng Score: 945 AND Essay: 5, SAT EBRW Score: 480, ACT English and Reading Score Combined: 40, or earn credit in College Prep English in 12th grade
- TSI Math Indicators: TSIA2 Math Score: 950, SAT Math Score: 530, ACT Math Score: 22, or earn credit in College Prep Math in 12th grade
Career Readiness
Whether entering the workforce immediately after high school, college, or the military, LISD provides many opportunities for students to develop the skills needed for that transition. Within our career and technical education (CTE) programs, students have the opportunity to engage in real-world experiences and hands-on training to help them identify, and eliminate, potential career fields.
CTE Programs of Study culminate in an Industry-Based Certification (IBC). These certifications have been identified as valuable assets for direct entry into the workforce. These certifications also let future employers know of a student's commitment and pursuit of an industry standard, regardless of whether a student ultimately pursues that career pathway.
Students may demonstrate their readiness for a career pathway by completing the following TEA requirements:
- Earn an Industry-Based Certification AND Complete three or more courses for at least four credits including level three or level four course in the same program of study. (Completer)
Military Readiness
LISD is proud of our students that choose a path of service to our country in the Armed Forces or Texas National Guard as their next step after graduation. Not only will students take with them the knowledge and problem-solving skills that come with a high school diploma, but the perseverance and sense of pride in serving others that defines our military.
Junior ROTC or JROTC is an federally-sponsored high school program that educates and trains students to develop a leadership mentality, attention to detail, and a problem-solving skill set that aims to benefit the school, community, and the cadets. JROTC is offered at each of the LISD high school campuses. Participation in JROTC does not require a military service commitment, but rather emphasizes life skills necessary to be a strong leader and citizen in preparation for life after high school.
Students may demonstrate their readiness for the military (CCMR) by completing the following after graduation:
- Enlist in the US Armed Forces or the Texas National Guard
- Complete the DD Form 4 Enlistment/ Reenlistment Document- Armed Forces of the US and send to the home high school campus as soon as possible after enlistment
- The DD Form 4 must include all required signatures by the student and enlistment officer
- Contact your campus counselor for timeline to submit the forms back to the campus
Parent Involvement
Parent Communication
Ways to connect:
- emails - be sure your Skyward email is accurate
- follow your child's campus school on social media (X, Facebook)
- follow LISD on social media @LISD
- attend campus events (registration, campus Q&A)
- attend LISD community events (college fair, career center open house)
Encourage your child to read daily at home and challenge their reading levels in their book selections. Starting in middle school, consider enrolling in Honors level courses for academic classes. These two things will help prepare your child to confidently handle the rigor of college level courses in high school.
Talk to your child's school teacher and/or counselor regarding academic placement during course registration.
Review your child's STAAR and PSAT score reports to analyze how they performed and read recommendations on how to improve their academic skills.
Discuss possible career fields with your child, and consider selecting CTE courses that may help explore their interest.