Digital Design for Student Success (D2S2)
The D2S2 program innovates the design and delivery of introductory, high-demand courses. A partnership of Texas institutions with strong established track records of innovation in digital learning and student success will develop, deploy, and scale high-quality introductory college course materials that incorporate innovative instructional design, current insights from the science of learning and development, open educational resources (OER), and strategic integration of co-requisite instruction. Success interventions are also a key component supplementing course instructional content via innovative pedagogical techniques.
The initiative aims to foster academic preparation and aid students (high school, community college, transfer, and lower-level undergraduate) in developing essential skills for college success, preparing them to pursue and achieve credentials of value. Ongoing research on student success will inform continuous improvement of course design, advance knowledge of effective methods for college preparation, and facilitate the adoption of successful course materials and pedagogical techniques across the state.
Partners
- Rice University (2022)
- Texas A&M University
- The University of Texas at Austin
Additional Resources
- D2S2 One-Pager
- D2S2 Hub (Coming Soon)
NEW! College Connect Pilot Program
The Digital Design for College Connect – Near College-Ready (NCR)* Pilot Program supports Texas community colleges in adopting enhanced, peer-reviewed, no cost English and math College Connect courses designed to improve college readiness and student success outcomes for dual credit students. Participating institutions will adopt courses in Fall 2026, teach their sections in Spring 2027, and assist in evaluating the pilot progam in Summer 2027.
*NCR: Students who did not meet a TSIA2 benchmark but are near college-ready
Participating institutions may receive up to $25,000 per pilot course.
Pilot Courses
English
ENGL 1301 – Composition I
Math
MATH 1314 – College Algebra
MATH 1332 – Contemporary Math
MATH 1342 – Elementary Statistical Methods
Eligible institutions Checklist
Offer dual credit courses
Currently offer College Connect / Are interested in doing so
Can identify Near College-Ready students
Will adopt D2C2 course principles
Can offer pilot sections in Spring 2027
Will participate in program evaluation activities
Ready to Learn More?
Informational webinar:
Thursday, June 18, 2026
1:00-2:00 pm CT
Webinar Recording (Passcode: M0O2VdA+)
Deadline to submit is Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 5pm CT
Digital Design for Student Success (D2S2)
The D2S2 initiative began in 2022 with the goal of innovating the design and delivery of introductory, high-demand courses. A partnership of Texas institutions with strong, established track records of innovation in digital learning and student success developed and designed high-quality introductory college course materials that incorporate innovative instructional design, current insights from the science of learning and development, open educational resources (OER), and strategic integration of co-requisite instruction. Success interventions are also a key component supplementing course instructional content via innovative pedagogical techniques.
The initiative aimed to foster academic preparation and aid students (high school, community college, transfer, and lower-level undergraduate) in developing essential skills for college success, preparing them to pursue and achieve credentials of value. Peer review and pilot activities informed continuous improvement of the course design, advancing knowledge of effective methods for college preparation, and adoption of successful course materials and pedagogical techniques across the state.
Partners
- Rice University (2022)
- Texas A&M University
- The University of Texas at Austin