Texas made history with the launch of the Opportunity High School Diploma (OHSD) program, an unprecedented pathway that allows adult learners to earn a state-recognized high school diploma while enrolled in career and technical education at a public junior college. Established through House Bill 8, the OHSD program supports the goals of Building a Talent Strong Texas by giving adults 18 and older the chance to complete a rigorous, competency-based curriculum focused on civics, communication skills, quantitative reasoning, scientific reasoning, and workplace success skills. The diploma awarded is fully equivalent to one issued by a Texas public school district, opening doors to employment, career training, and higher education.
San Jacinto College Leads the Way
In November 2024, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board invited public junior colleges to apply to offer the OHSD program. After a competitive review, only five institutions earned approval: San Jacinto College, Alamo Colleges District, Dallas College, El Paso Community College, and Del Mar College. As a long-standing partner within the HGAC/Gulf Coast Workforce Board AEL Consortium, San Jacinto College quickly emerged as a statewide leader.
On January 29, 2026, San Jacinto College celebrated a historic moment: the graduation of Texas’s first Opportunity High School cohort. Thirteen adult learners proudly earned their high school diplomas—the first time in state history that adults completed this competency-based high school pathway. The ceremony welcomed more than 100 guests, including family members, faculty, staff, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board representatives, and community partners, all honoring the graduates’ resilience, discipline, and hard work.
A Cohort of Success
The inaugural cohort demonstrated both the strength of the OHSD program and the determination of its participants. Of 16 students who enrolled:
- 13 successfully completed all required competencies and earned their diplomas
- 2 students will continue in the next cohort to complete the quantitative reasoning competency
- 1 student may return in the future after completing remaining exams
Beyond earning their diplomas, many graduates also achieved industry-recognized certifications, positioning them for immediate employment and career growth:
- Three students earned the CompTIA A+ certification, opening pathways into IT support and technology roles
- Four students completed the Medical Office Professional certificate, preparing them for healthcare administration careers
- Two students earned the EKG Technician certificate, advancing into clinical healthcare roles
Transforming Lives
San Jacinto College’s success highlights the OHSD program’s promise as a catalyst for economic mobility. By pairing high school completion with workforce-aligned training, the program accelerates entry into high-demand careers and strengthens talent pipelines across the Gulf Coast region. It also underscores the value of adult education as a driver of opportunity, transforming lives, families, and communities.
This first graduating class represents more than a new credential; it marks the beginning of a statewide model for adult learners. As additional colleges prepare to launch their OHSD programs, San Jacinto College’s inaugural cohort stands as a powerful example of what is possible when higher education, workforce partners, and policy leaders work together to create opportunities that meet learners where they are and help them reach where they aspire to go.
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