TexQuest makes quality online resources available to ALL K-12 public school students in the state of Texas, no matter where they are located or the size of their school district. All resources are free for the first year, and the low shared cost will be the same for every district starting the second year.

Through TexQuest, all students will learn how to use the same resources. Once they have been trained how to use these resources, it won't be necessary to start again when they advance grades, change schools, or even change districts.

Not only will TexQuest help students prepare for college, where they will be required to use online databases and E-content, they will be prepared to use TexShare, available in universities and public libraries in Texas.

1. Students (and teachers) can be overwhelmed with choices. TexQuest resources make it easy to narrow subjects and specify type of resource.

2. When students do an online search, they are often unaware of the format of their response. A newspaper, magazine, or reference book just look like a website to them - they are all on a computer screen. General databases with multiple formats make it easier for a student to distinguish the type of format, its timeliness, depth, and reading level.

Teachers find it easier to monitor use of computers when the choices are focused. With TexQuest, students can stay within one or two databases and find dependable, appropriate resources. It is also easy to quickly glance and see that they are on task.

Most of the TexQuest resources can be adapted for students with special needs. It is easy to sort by reading level, or do an advanced search with a lexile level. Text size can be enlarged for students with visual impairments, and audio can be streamed or downloaded for those who have problems reading. In fact, in most databases there settings that can be adjusted for the audio. Also TexQuest can be used as a source for the research required of Gifted and Talented students.

Many of the online resources, and all of the school specific Gale resources can be translated into multiple languages. This could be a tremendous help to teachers who haves ELL students. They could search topics and print out information in several different languages for students who are having trouble reading the textbook.

TexQuest resources make it easy for students to search sensitive topics without 1. having all of their searches blocked or 2. finding information that is inappropriate. Topics like breast cancer, suicide, and any number of diseases that could produce blocked searches can be searched with ease. And the information will be school appropriate if they are using one of the student focused resources.

Teachers and students can use articles, photos, audio files, and videos from the database without having to worry about whether they are copyright compliant. Lots of files can be downloaded and/or embedded into teacher presentations or student products.

Most of the TexQuest resources have citations in MLA format already printed at the bottom. Many a student has finally been convinced of the usefulness of general databases when he/she discovers that the citation has already been completed. They can also be imported into several different online citation tools.