Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District is expanding access to college credit, career certifications, and postsecondary credentials for students through the Kickstart College-Ready grant, an initiative facilitated by Region One Education Service Center and the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) with support from the Greater Texas Foundation.
Los Fresnos CISD is one of three Cameron County districts—alongside San Benito CISD and La Feria ISD—selected for the initiative. District leaders recently met with representatives from Region One and IDRA to discuss how the grant will strengthen existing programs and create new opportunities for students to graduate college- and career-ready.
Kickstart College-Ready uses a partnership-based, schoolwide approach to build system-wide pathways to postsecondary success. The model integrates college access into advising, instruction, scheduling, and partnerships while honoring local vision and needs. Rather than limiting early college opportunities to a select group of students, the initiative ensures every student is part of a college-going culture.
“This work is about intentionally building systems that give all students access to meaningful college and career pathways,” said Dr. Daniel King, Executive Director of Region One ESC. “Kickstart College-Ready represents the best of what our region can do when districts and partners come together to expand opportunities for students to earn college credentials.”
Expanding Student Impact Through College Credit and CTE Opportunities
For Los Fresnos CISD students, the impact of Kickstart College-Ready is tangible and immediate. The initiative will help expand access to dual enrollment, Career and Technical Education (CTE) coursework, industry-based certifications, and associate degree pathways, allowing students to graduate high school with college credit, workforce credentials, and reduced college costs.
Los Fresnos CISD currently partners with Texas Southmost College and Texas State Technical College to offer dual enrollment and Core Complete offerings, helping students complete transferable core coursework before graduation. These opportunities can result in significant cost savings for families while accelerating students’ progress toward a degree.
A key focus of the work will also be strengthening TSI readiness, ensuring more students meet college-readiness benchmarks before graduation.
“This initiative aligns seamlessly with the strong foundation we have already built,” said Dr. Gonzalo Salazar, Superintendent of Los Fresnos CISD. “Our goal is to ensure more
students graduate with college hours, industry certifications, and a clear plan for their future—whether that path leads directly to college, a career, or both.”
Building on a Strong CTE Foundation
Los Fresnos CISD’s Career and Technical Education program is a cornerstone of the district’s college- and career-ready efforts. The district currently offers 16 CTE pathways of study and 43 industry-based certifications, giving students opportunities to earn CTE credits that align with high-demand, high-wage careers.
In addition, Los Fresnos CISD offers a P-TECH Mechatronics program in partnership with TSTC, allowing students to blend high school coursework, college credit, and industry-aligned training. Kickstart College-Ready will further strengthen these efforts by aligning CTE pathways with college credentials and expanding funding and support structures that allow students to earn both academic and technical credentials before graduation.
“Students in the Rio Grande Valley deserve access to rigorous, relevant pathways that prepare them for both college and careers,” said Hector Bojorquez, Director of Operations and Educational Practices for IDRA. “There are very special things happening in the Valley that we need to capture. Here in Los Fresnos, in your daily practices—what the district staff does, the way the district moves toward its goals, and how campuses execute them—those are the systems that create real opportunities for students.”
IDRA and Region One ESC will provide on-site technical assistance, coaching, and professional development to support Los Fresnos CISD throughout the implementation process. As part of the project, IDRA will document the district’s work to develop a framework that can be replicated by schools nationwide.
For Los Fresnos CISD, the initiative represents more than a grant—it is an investment in students’ futures, expanding educational experiences, increasing college affordability, and opening doors to lifelong success.