On-time credential completion rates continue to be a significant problem for community colleges. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics in 2020 show that only 13% of community college students graduate in two years. In Texas, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board reported in 2020 that the average time to complete an associate degree was 3.9 years; meanwhile three-year graduation rates for full-time students were 24.9%, and for part time, 13.1%. Guided pathways have proven to be one effective solution to this problem and research shows that the practices used in guided pathways programs can lead to better outcomes for students. However, many colleges lack access to courses needed to create and consistently fulfill in-demand pathways and support on-time completion.

This project will address two primary goals: 

• increase the number of high-quality, online STEM and in-demand shorter-term courses that are a part of the existing course sharing initiative. 
• assist participating colleges in implementing course sharing strategies to ensure learners can access and complete guided pathways. 

Additionally, Harnessing Course Sharing to Support Texas Pathways at Scale will contribute to Greater Texas Foundation’s goal of transfer, transition, and advising as well as the goals of the state’s higher education plan, 60x30TX.

Three institutions serve the project as Teaching Institutions (TIs): Western Texas College, Austin Community College, and South Plains College. Another nine institutions operate as Home Institutions (HIs): Weatherford College, Vernon College, Cisco College, Ranger College, South Plains College, Paris Junior College, Angelina College, Frank Phillips College, and Howard College.

In the summer and fall 2022 terms, the TIs will begin offering such courses as