OnRamps Partnership Brings Together UT Austin and Tarleton State University to Help Students, Teachers

AUSTIN, Texas — Beginning fall 2022, high school students in around 50 school districts across North Central Texas will be able to earn Tarleton State University credit for precalculus and college algebra classes before they graduate, thanks to a new partnership with The University of Texas at Austin via its OnRamps initiative.

OnRamps aims to increase access to high-quality learning and instruction for students and teachers across Texas. It offers rigorous dual enrollment courses and professional development, serving more than 105,000 students to date.

OnRamps is closely aligned to Tarleton State University’s commitment to opportunity and affordability. The initiative is known for creating dynamic learning experiences that reduce barriers to higher education – through OnRamps nearly half of its students are first in their family with the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree.

“We are delighted to partner with Tarleton, serving Texas students and teachers through our OnRamps program,” said UT Austin President Jay Hartzell. “This partnership is testament to how institutions across the state can forge educational links so that local communities can benefit from the world-class efforts of UT Austin.”

As the newest member of Tarleton State University’s Distinguished High School Partnership program, OnRamps will be able to extend the reach of its ongoing efforts in support of Tarleton’s ambitious vision to transform generations. Under the Distinguished High School Partnership program, Tarleton will guarantee admission, waive application fees and provide scholarships for regional school districts.

“This unique dual-enrollment partnership with OnRamps deepens our commitment to educational attainment, opportunity and affordability,” said Tarleton President James Hurley. “Together we’re building a bridge between secondary and higher education to expand opportunity for some of the brightest minds in Texas. Many will be the first in their family to attend college.”

The partnership brings together the University of Texas System with the second largest institution in The Texas A&M University System. Students will take the university-level math courses over a traditional school year, receiving the high school portion of their learning and instruction from their high school teacher and the college portion from a college instructor of record. As part of the partnership and implicit in OnRamps’ unique model, Tarleton will supplement this offering by also providing professional learning and development to help teachers deepen their content knowledge.

Tarleton will offer the OnRamps precalculus and college algebra courses in partnering school districts in Bosque, Comanche, Ellis, Erath, Hamilton, Hood, Johnson, Parker, Palo Pinto and Somervell counties, with the intent to expand the scope and reach in subsequent years.

For more information, visit onramps.utexas.edu.