Today is a special day, and not just because it’s Friday. Today is GenTX Decision Day, an important milestone in the Generation Texas movement. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) created the Generation Texas movement in 2010 as a statewide initiative to support all students, and high school seniors especially, in getting to and through college.
GenTX Decision Day is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate students for their postsecondary plans in front of their school’s entire student body. It’s an exciting day with school spirit and communities working together to build excitement and awareness surrounding the college selection and enrollment process.
THECB’s 2019 goals are to have at least 1,200 Texas high schools accept the challenge and register for GenTX Decision Day to support students with activities, events, and outreach; every participating high school in Texas increase ApplyTexas and FAFSA completions by 4 percent above last year; and every eligible student complete and submit the FAFSA or TASFA and an application to at least one institution of higher education.
Generation Texas also supports the regional efforts and goals of the 60x30TX Texas Challenge to Reach Higher, which aligns with the national Reach Higher Initiative, to increase completion of college applications, FAFSA, and college readiness indicators.
You can help contribute to the spirit of the day by talking to students about their college choices or reaching out to students to encourage them to complete the enrollment process. Do you know any students who might traditionally be overlooked when it comes to college planning? Engage with them about their options for college! Ask about their postsecondary education plans after high school as they board the bus, go through the lunch line, or walk into church, a store, or their classrooms!
You can follow GenTX Decision Day on social media with the hashtag #GenTXDay. Have other ideas about how to inspire young Texans to participate? Tell us in a comment below!
