By AVERY ARIZOLA
Region One ESC
Region One Education Service Center (Region One) has placed dedicated career advisors in four local high schools – Edcouch-Elsa High School, Grulla High School, Monte Alto Early College High School, and Port Isabel High School – thanks to funding in partnership with the rootEd Alliance.
rootEd Alliance, is a public-private initiative designed to boost career outcomes for students in rural communities by placing dedicated advisors in rural high schools to provide students with career planning support according to Region One. Advisors work with every senior to define and plan their futures, whether they are seeking a college degree, work-based learning, or military service. In Texas, rootEd partners with five Texas-based regional organizations including Region One, read a press release from Region One.
With the addition of these schools, rootEd is now serving 56 schools across Texas.
“Every student deserves access to dedicated career advisors as they make the transition from high school to the rest of their lives,” said Region One ESC Executive Administrator for College, Career & Life Readiness Melissa I. Lopez. “rootEd Alliance’s advising model has led to great success for rural students, and we’re excited to bring it to our Region.”
RootEd advisors work alongside school counselors, adding capacity and resources, to ensure all students explore careers, develop a plan for after graduation, and complete the steps necessary to achieve their goals. Advisors’ work may include helping students explore career paths, identify schools or training programs, complete financial aid forms and applications, visit colleges and career fairs, coordinate job shadowing and other career exposure opportunities, and even secure housing and transportation.
Meeting the need Nationwide, an increasing number of jobs require some level of training or education beyond high school. In Texas specifically, 70% of the state’s jobs will require a postsecondary credential by 2036, but only 22% of Texas students are earning any type of degree or certification within six years of their high school graduation.
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