Greater Texas Policy Report - Using Major Sources of Support in Texas for Back on Track Pathways for Opportunity Youth

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana

This report examines state policies and funding streams available in Texas to support alternative schools and programs serving opportunity youth. Drawing on interviews with policy experts and practitioners from 12 Texas schools and programs, it illustrates how funding and policy levers can be used to advance postsecondary success outcomes aligned to the Back on Track model’s three phases. It also analyzes programming challenges and funding gaps and recommends strategies to strengthen access to funding and achieve statewide postsecondary success goals for opportunity youth.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages68

Reading Time2 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Back on Track: Postsecondary Success

Policies and Funding Supporting Opportunity Youth

Putting the Policies to Work

Conclusion

Appendix

Appendix A: Site Profiles

Appendix B: List of Interviewees

JUNE 2023 Using Major Sources of Support in Texas for Back on Track Pathways for Opportunity Youth AT A GLANCE This report examines state policies and funding streams available to support alternative schools and programs for opportunity youth in Texas. Based on interviews with policy experts and practitioners from 12 schools and programs across the state, the report shares examples of how funding and policies are being leveraged to support postsecondary success outcomes in alignment with the three phases of the Back on Track model- -Enriched Preparation, Postsecondary Bridging and First Year Support and Beyond. The report also identifies programming challengesand funding gaps and recommends strategies for maximizing funding opportunities that can lead to achievement of the state’s postsecondary success outcome goals for opportunity youth. AUTHORS Fran E. O’Reilly, JFF Consultant Beth K. Peabody, JFF Consultant U SING MAJOR SOURCE S OF S U P PO RT IN TEXAS FOR BACK ON TRACK PATHWAYS FOR OPPO RTU NITY YOUTH JOB S FO R THE FUTURE Acknowledgements Lili Allen Senior Advisor, JFF Mike Sack Senior Director, JFF Traci Berry The Goodwill Excel Center Stacie Brady Education Transition Center, Excel Academy Charter District Ronny Cabrera La Joya ISD College and Career Center David Clauss American YouthWorks Nicole Colvin Deep East Texas College and Career Academy Amy Corron Wesley Community Center Mike Feinberg Work Texas Loren Franckowiak Por Vida Academy Hannah Gourgey Aspen Institute Chris Hill Solomon Coles M. High School & Education Center, Corpus Christi ISD Daniel King Education Service Center, Region 1 Sr. Odelia Korenek Por Vida Academy Yael Lawson Workforce Solutions Capital Area Kumasi Lewis Texans Can Academy at Fort Worth Westcreek Brenda MatamorosBeveridge Texans Can Academy at Fort Worth Lancaster Melodie McClarren Tuloso-Midway ISD, Academic Career Center Andrew Moore National League of Cities Vanessa Ramirez WorkTexas Irene Ramos Education Service Center, Region 2 Kelli Rhodes Restore Education Kerri Rhodes Restore Education Angela Rios Southwest Keys Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program Abby Salazar Healy Murphy Center Kevin Taylor Stubblefield Learning Center Jeff Walker Stubblefield Learning Center Doug Watson Healy Murphy Center Jeff West Education to Employment Partners U SING MAJOR SOURCE S OF S U P PO RT IN TEXAS FOR BACK ON TRACK PATHWAYS FOR OPPO RTU NITY YOUTH JOB S FO R THE FUTURE About Jobs for the Future Jobs for the Future (JFF) [drives transformation of the U.S. education](drives transformation of the U.S. education) and workforce systems to achieve equitable economic advancement [for all. www.jff.org](for all. www.jff.org) About JFF’s Language Choices JFF is committed to using language that promotes equity and human dignity, rooted in the strengths of the people and communities we serve. We develop our content with the awareness that language can perpetuate privilege but also can educate, empower, and drive positive change to create a more equitable society. We will continually reevaluate our efforts as language usage continues to evolve. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Greater Texas Foundation or any director, officer or employee thereof. U SING MAJOR SOURCE S OF S U P PO RT IN TEXAS FOR BACK ON TRACK PATHWAYS FOR OPPO RTU NITY YOUTH JOB S FO R THE FUTURE Table of Contents Introduction 5 Back on Track: Postsecondary Success 7 Policies and Funding Supporting Opportunity Youth 9 Putting the Policies to Work 18 Conclusion 29 Appendix A: Site Profiles 32 Appendix B: List of Interviewees 65 Endnotes 66 U SING MAJOR SOURCE S OF S U P PO RT IN TEXAS FOR BACK ON TRACK PATHWAYS FOR OPPO RTU NITY YOUTH JOB S FO R THE FUTURE Introduction Even as the U.S

FAQs

What does the report focus on for opportunity youth in Texas?

The report examines state policies and funding streams that support alternative schools and programs for opportunity youth.

How is the Back on Track model used in this report?

The report describes how funding and policies are leveraged to support postsecondary success outcomes aligned with the model’s three phases.

What challenges and recommendations does the report include?

It identifies programming challenges and funding gaps and recommends strategies for maximizing funding opportunities to meet postsecondary success goals.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana