Moving Texas Forward: DIGITAL LEARNING AND OPEN EDUCATION INITIATIVES OF THE TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD

Singh and Torre talks about digital learning and open education initiatives of the Texas higher education coordinating board. The disruption to higher education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic spotlighted the vital importance of digital learning for Texas institutions and students. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) recognized that strengthening current practices and supporting innovation was imperative as we entered a new normal for teaching, learning, and student success. In November 2020, THECB launched the Division of Digital Learning (DDL). Its mission is to provide leadership and advocacy for digital learning in higher education and promote, sustain, and advance a quality digital learner experience to position Texas as a world leader, resulting in globally competitive, digitally proficient citizens. The Texas Legislature has appropriated funding for building and maintaining OERTX, and for OER grants, which were awarded to individual faculty members who created and/or curated OER for core curriculum courses. In 2020, the agency also received $175 million in federal Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funding.