Texas Division of Digital Learning wraps up OER initiatives and announces grant opportunities

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board convened on June 13, 2025, to discuss various initiatives and updates related to digital learning and open educational resources (OER). The meeting highlighted recent webinars, professional learning events, and upcoming conferences aimed at enhancing educational practices across Texas.

The session began with a recap of the recently concluded AI Empowered webinar series, which included three sessions held in March, April, and May. These webinars focused on topics such as the agility framework, student well-being, and digital learning horizons. Recordings of these events are available on the digital learning website.

Attention then shifted to OER initiatives, with discussions on the OER Core Elements Academy, which concluded in April. This academy was designed for participants new to OER or those with intermediate experience, covering essential topics like discovery, evaluation, and remixing of OER materials. Additionally, the OER Advanced Skills Academy is currently in progress and will conclude next week, focusing on authoring OER to enhance project development.

The board also reviewed the OER fellowship program, which aims to foster mentor relationships for OER creation and capacity building. The first cohort's capstone projects are due by June 30, while applications for the second cohort closed on May 30, with announcements expected this summer.

In terms of research, the OER landscape survey conducted by ISCME is underway, with 76 responses from 96 institutions. The analysis is expected to yield a report available this fall.

The meeting also addressed the planning for the 2026 Digital Learning Summit, with feedback gathered from host institutions to enhance professional development resources. The next board meeting is scheduled for July, where the LTAC annual report will be presented.

A significant announcement was made regarding a second request for applications for the 2025 OER grant program, due by June 25. This program, established in 2018, supports Texas public institutions in adopting and developing courses that utilize OER, resulting in over $2 million in savings from previous cycles.

The board shared details about the upcoming 2025 Texas Conference on Student Success, hosted by UT Austin from October 29 to 31. The theme, "Charting Brighter Futures," aims to promote resilience and innovation in student achievement. The call for proposals for this conference closes on June 30.

Lastly, the meeting noted the recent quarterly meeting of the Southern Regional Education Board Educational Technology Cooperative, which focused on setting goals for the next biennium and included discussions on the intersection of dual enrollment and OER.

Overall, the meeting underscored the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's commitment to advancing digital learning and OER initiatives, with several programs and events aimed at enhancing educational outcomes across the state.