The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) awarded three Texas schools the inaugural My Texas Future School of Excellence award on April 29, 2026.
The recipients—Tornillo High School, Copperas Cove High School, and Jose J. Alderete Middle School—were recognized for their exceptional efforts in using the state’s digital advising tools to help students plan their postsecondary education and career pathways.
These awards highlight a successful push to integrate the “My Texas Future” (MTF) platform into campus counseling and advising programs. By utilizing the digital hub, these schools have streamlined the way students explore career interests, research higher education costs, and navigate the “Direct Admissions” process. The initiative is a key component of the state’s broader strategy to align educational credentials with the evolving needs of the Texas workforce.
According to the THECB, the winning schools were selected based on high levels of student engagement with the MTF tool over a five-month period beginning in September 2025. Engagement metrics included students completing personalized profiles, conducting career research, and investigating various higher education programs.
Commissioner of Higher Education Wynn Rosser stated that these schools serve as “exemplars” for integrating digital resources into traditional counseling to strengthen student support.
The My Texas Future platform, which launched in 2023, serves as a one-stop hub that allows students to compare careers based on regional demand and projected salaries while also providing a “Direct Admissions” feature to show students which colleges they qualify for before they even apply.
Early career exploration is increasingly seen as a critical factor in student success; according to a report by the American School Counselor Association, students who participate in structured career planning are more likely to enroll in postsecondary education and have higher persistence rates.
In Texas, this alignment is becoming a fiscal priority, as recent legislative changes under House Bill 8 have shifted community college funding to an outcomes-based model that rewards institutions for producing students with high-demand credentials.
“Seeing our schools and students embrace this resource gives me confidence that, together, we are advancing our state’s Building a Talent Strong Texas strategic plan,” Commissioner Rosser stated, noting that the goal remains helping more Texans transition into meaningful careers.