ELTAC approves three IPDE submissions; division highlights OEER grants, OER nursing projects and federal opportunities
June 12, 2026 | Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), Departments and Agencies, Executive, Texas
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The Education Learning Technology Advisory Committee approved several institutional distance-education plans and heard an agency update on open educational resources and grant opportunities.
IPDE approvals: The operations subcommittee reviewed Institutional Plans for Distance Education (IPDE) submitted by Coastal Bend College, South Plains College, and Tarrant County College and recommended the committee find each compliant with the Principles of Good Practice for distance education. The committee voted to approve those recommendations unanimously (19 in favor). During the later workgroup report‑outs, the committee also approved Victoria College’s IPDE submission unanimously (18 in favor).
Grants and OEER updates: The Student Success & Institutional Partnerships division reported publication of the 2025 OEER (Open Educational Resources Ecosystem Report) landscape report, which shows gains in OER adoption and lower textbook costs. THECB released Round 5 of its OEER grant RFA on June 5, with an expected award horizon of roughly $3 million (contingent on appropriation) targeted to two categories: nursing adoptions and workforce OER collaborators; THCB expects roughly 10 nursing adoption grants and 10 workforce collaborator grants for a two‑year grant period (Sept. 1, 2026–Aug. 31, 2028). Important dates: informational webinar June 15; application deadline July 20; applicant inquiries end July 8.
Federal opportunities and pilot programs: Staff highlighted two U.S. Department of Education opportunities: (1) the Postsecondary Student Success Grant program (deadline June 29; estimated $45M total funding, nine awards expected) and (2) the Open Textbook Pilot (deadline June 23; estimated $7M, four awards expected). THECB also described a Digital Design for College Connect pilot (interagency contract) to expand peer-reviewed, no-cost English and math courses for dual credit students; onboarding webinars were announced for June 18.
Nursing OER 1.0 → 2.0 expansion: THECB staff said they are partnering with OpenStax to develop two additional nursing textbooks (pathophysiology and pediatric/infant nursing) and open or no-cost NCLEX test‑prep resources; publication is expected in roughly one year, with adoption workshops planned during the production period.
What this means: The IPDE approvals are procedural but important for institutional compliance with TAC distance-education requirements; the OEER/OER grants and federal solicitations present near-term funding and adoption opportunities for campuses aiming to reduce student costs and expand workforce-aligned OER offerings.
Actions and next steps: THECB staff will post OEER RFA materials and webinar recordings and continue to manage grant workflows in the new Flux grant-management system. Institutions interested in OER and nursing resource development should watch the OEER grant timeline (June 15 webinar; July 8 inquiries; July 20 applications) and consider partnering for the Digital Design for College Connect pilot (June 18 webinar).
IPDE approvals: The operations subcommittee reviewed Institutional Plans for Distance Education (IPDE) submitted by Coastal Bend College, South Plains College, and Tarrant County College and recommended the committee find each compliant with the Principles of Good Practice for distance education. The committee voted to approve those recommendations unanimously (19 in favor). During the later workgroup report‑outs, the committee also approved Victoria College’s IPDE submission unanimously (18 in favor).
Grants and OEER updates: The Student Success & Institutional Partnerships division reported publication of the 2025 OEER (Open Educational Resources Ecosystem Report) landscape report, which shows gains in OER adoption and lower textbook costs. THECB released Round 5 of its OEER grant RFA on June 5, with an expected award horizon of roughly $3 million (contingent on appropriation) targeted to two categories: nursing adoptions and workforce OER collaborators; THCB expects roughly 10 nursing adoption grants and 10 workforce collaborator grants for a two‑year grant period (Sept. 1, 2026–Aug. 31, 2028). Important dates: informational webinar June 15; application deadline July 20; applicant inquiries end July 8.
Federal opportunities and pilot programs: Staff highlighted two U.S. Department of Education opportunities: (1) the Postsecondary Student Success Grant program (deadline June 29; estimated $45M total funding, nine awards expected) and (2) the Open Textbook Pilot (deadline June 23; estimated $7M, four awards expected). THECB also described a Digital Design for College Connect pilot (interagency contract) to expand peer-reviewed, no-cost English and math courses for dual credit students; onboarding webinars were announced for June 18.
Nursing OER 1.0 → 2.0 expansion: THECB staff said they are partnering with OpenStax to develop two additional nursing textbooks (pathophysiology and pediatric/infant nursing) and open or no-cost NCLEX test‑prep resources; publication is expected in roughly one year, with adoption workshops planned during the production period.
What this means: The IPDE approvals are procedural but important for institutional compliance with TAC distance-education requirements; the OEER/OER grants and federal solicitations present near-term funding and adoption opportunities for campuses aiming to reduce student costs and expand workforce-aligned OER offerings.
Actions and next steps: THECB staff will post OEER RFA materials and webinar recordings and continue to manage grant workflows in the new Flux grant-management system. Institutions interested in OER and nursing resource development should watch the OEER grant timeline (June 15 webinar; July 8 inquiries; July 20 applications) and consider partnering for the Digital Design for College Connect pilot (June 18 webinar).
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