College Connection

College ConnectionCollege ConnectionCedar Valley CollegeSchool District Guests

February 15, 2008

PresenterPresenter

Luanne Preston, Ph.D.Executive DirectorEarly College Start and College [email protected]

AgendaAgenda

Closing the Gaps Overview College Connection Overview College Connection How It Works Program Results Program Recognition State and National Interest in Expansion College Connection How To Start Guiding Principles Plan for Success Common Challenges Questions and Answers

Texas Higher Education Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Coordinating Board’s

Strategic PlanStrategic Plan

“Closing the Gaps”“Closing the Gaps”OverviewOverview

Closing the Gaps in Closing the Gaps in ParticipationParticipation

Closing the Gaps warns that if more Texans do not receive college degrees by 2030, the State could lose up to $40 billion in annual household income.

The goal is to increase student enrollment in higher education by 630,000 by 2015.

Most students will elect to start at a community college.

Cedar Valley College expects over 2,351 more students by 2015.

Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/ClosingtheGaps/ctgtargets_pdf.cfm?Goal=1

College ConnectionCollege ConnectionOverviewOverview

Education Beyond High Education Beyond High SchoolSchool

Increases earning potential and employment opportunities

U.S. Department of Education

Improving High School to Improving High School to College TransitionsCollege Transitions

Provide admission and pre-enrollment services to seniors on their school campuses

Create an expectation that “College is in everyone’s future.”

Increase percentage of high school seniors who enter college after high school graduation.

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006

Cedar Valley College Service AreaCollege Transition Rates

High SchoolHigh School

Total High Total High School School

GraduatesGraduates

Students Students Enrolled in Enrolled in

Texas Texas UniversitiesUniversities


Texas 2-year Texas 2-year CollegesColleges

Students Not Students Not Located in Located in

Texas Higher Texas Higher Education Education **

Cedar HillCedar Hill 465465 154154 33%33% 122122 26%26% 189189 41%41%

A Maceo SmithA Maceo Smith 174174 3737 21%21% 2424 14%14% 113113 65%65%

Booker T Washington

170170 3737 22%22% 2626 15%15% 107107 63%63%

David W. CarterDavid W. Carter 334334 9696 29%29% 6666 20%20% 172172 51%51%

H. Grady Spruce 190190 1616 8%8% 2525 13%13% 149149 78%78%

Justin F KimballJustin F Kimball 235235 4141 17%17% 3232 14%14% 162162 69%69%

LincolnLincoln 217217 4949 23%23% 4141 19%19% 127127 59%59%

*Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the year immediately following graduation, as well as students who were enrolled out-of-state.**Districts with less than 25 graduates are not included in this report.Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1324.PDF

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006

Cedar Valley College Service AreaCollege Transition Rates

School DistrictSchool District

Total High Total High School School

GraduatesGraduates


Texas Texas UniversitiesUniversities


Texas 2-year Texas 2-year CollegesColleges

Students Not Students Not Located in Located in

Texas Higher Texas Higher Education Education **

SeagovilleSeagoville 197197 2525 13%13% 5555 28%28% 117117 59%59%

SkylineSkyline 819819 135135 16%16% 187187 23%23% 497497 61%61%

South Oak Cliff 288288 4545 16%16% 5555 19%19% 188188 65%65%

W.W. SamuelW.W. Samuel 229229 2121 9%9% 3737 16%16% 171171 75%75%

De Soto 412412 129129 31%31% 109109 26%26% 174174 42%42%

DuncanvilleDuncanville 586586 152152 26%26% 140140 24%24% 294294 50%50%

TotalTotal 4,3164,316 937937 22%22% 919919 21%21% 2,4602,460 57%57%

*Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the year immediately following graduation, as well as students who were enrolled out-of-state.**Districts with less than 25 graduates are not included in this report.Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1324.PDF

College ConnectionCollege ConnectionHow It WorksHow It Works

College Connection College Connection ProgramProgramMany high school students find the college

enrollment process intimidating.

College District provides hands-on, one-on-one support to assist every student through each step of the college admissions process.

During graduation ceremonies, high school graduating seniors receive acceptance letters to Cedar Valley College.

Students Receive Services at the Students Receive Services at the High School:High School:

College ConnectionCollege Connection Common Order of On-Campus ActivitiesCommon Order of On-Campus Activities

1. Senior Presentation

2. Admission application

3. Financial aid application

4. ASSET assessment

5. Tour of Austin Community College campus(es)

6. Pre-Advising

7. Advising

8. Acceptance letter to Austin Community College at graduation

9. Registration for Austin Community College classes

Red=Required Blue=Recommended Black=Optional

College Connection College Connection Activity Grid SampleActivity Grid Sample

Activity Date Time LocationEquipment

Communication Del Valle HS Contact(*Lead Contact)[email protected]

ACC District Contact(*Lead Contact)[email protected]

High School Planning Committee Meeting

August 9, 2007

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Del Valle Admin5301 Ross RoadDel Valle, TX

•E-mail•Announcement

*Jean MacInnisJmacinnis

*Luanne Prestonluanne

College Connection Agreement

Prior to beginning Fall semester

*Sandra DowdySdowdy

*Luanne Preston luanne

Senior Presentation Kickoff Activity

September 13, 2007

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Auditorium •Notice in parent newsletter•Notice on high school website

*Sarah MabrySarah.mabry

*Ashley Williamsawillia4

Admissions Application

Make-Up Day

October 10, 2007

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Rooms A205, C216, D130, D208

•Non-citizen students must obtain alternate ID before completing application

*Sarah MabrySarah.mabry

*Pat Colungapcolunga

ISD District Lead: Sandra Dowdy, Assistant Superintendent, 512-386-3040, [email protected]

Del Valle HS Lead: Jean MacInnis, Principal, 512-386-3210, [email protected]. Assistant: Nadene Norwood, 512-386-3211, [email protected]

ACC District Lead: Mary Hensley, 223-7618, [email protected]. Assistant: Esther Buzard, 223-7618, [email protected]

College Connection Lead: Luanne Preston, 223-7354, [email protected]

Admin. Assistant: Laurie Clark, 223-7354, [email protected] Senior Count:400

SHADE/BOLD – Required College Connection Activities

Lifetime Acceptance “at ACC”

Application never discarded

Provide a permanent college home

Students come to ACC:◦ Full-time◦ Part-time◦ In Summer for transfer◦ After military service◦ After career changes◦ Co-enroll while attending

4-year institution

Lifetime Acceptance “at ACC”

Cohorts can be tracked by semester of entry

Longitudinal data collected for◦ Retention◦ Completion◦ Success

Program ResultsProgram Results

College ConnectionCollege Connection Program Growth Program Growth

Over 4 years:

1 school district to 27 school districts

2 high schools to 58 high schools

400 students to 17,000+ students

The The College ConnectionCollege Connection Program Works! Program Works!

Blue=Year College Connection started Red=Year Seniors attend ACC after College Connection1-Source: http://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports/PDF/0961.pdf2-Source: http://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports/PDF/0963.pdf 3-Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF

ISD

Students NOT located in Texas Higher Education Fall 2003




2006 Increase of Students in Higher Ed Since Implementation

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

San Marcos 273 66% 219 55% 234 59% 294 66% 0 %

Austin 2,155 56% 2,066 56% 2,005 54% 2,014 52% 4 %

Bastrop 286 69% 234 57% 239 54% 282 61% -4 %

Del Valle 293 77% 312 80% 236 66% 229 71% 9 %

Leander 444 48% 459 48% 422 42% 418 40% 8 %

Hays 281 57% 309 56% 290 55% 286 51% 5 %

Manor 51 57% 74 57% 87 62% 89 68% -6 %

Pflugerville 194 47% 201 47% 204 48% 156 46% 2 %

College ConnectionCollege Connection Diversity of Participants 2006-07Diversity of Participants 2006-07

More than 55% of College Connectionenrollees are minorities

Higher percentage entering ACC through College Connection than in the general ACC student population

Traditionally Underrepresented in Higher Traditionally Underrepresented in Higher Education - Students Enroll at ACCEducation - Students Enroll at ACC

College Connection College Connection Positively Positively Impacts Other College ProgramsImpacts Other College Programs

ACC Fall Enrollments◦ 38% increase first year◦ 59% increase over two years

Early College Start (Dual Credit) Enrollments◦ 26% increase in enrollment from ‘04 to ’05◦ 45% increase in enrollment from ’04 to ’06◦ 3,209 students enrolled Summer 2007 (record-breaking

ECS enrollment)

Tech Prep Enrollments◦ 4,336% increase in enrollment from ‘03 to ‘06

36 students in 2003-04 48 students in 2004-05 293 students in 2005-06 1,597 students in 2006-07

Program RecognitionProgram Recognition

College Connection College Connection Program Program National Acclaim & RecognitionNational Acclaim & Recognition

Awards ReceivedAwards Received

State and National Interest State and National Interest in Expansionin Expansion

Florida Department of EducationFlorida Department of Education Launched state-wide campaign in April 2007 called “Go

Higher-Get Accepted” modeled after College Connection

Maine Interest in Maine Interest in College ConnectionCollege Connection

Proposed law requiring graduating high school seniors to complete at least one college application before getting diploma.

Support from “Compact for Higher Education”

National Interest:National Interest:

“Attaining advanced levels of education for disadvantaged students cannot be done without developing a college-going culture in every middle school and high school in the state of Texas...then suddenly, (going to college) changes from being a possibility to an expectation.”--Raymund Paredes

Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

January 6, 2005

THECB Statewide College Connection Expansion2007-2009

• Ten Colleges Receive Implementation Grants

• Alamo Community College District

• Blinn College

• Del Mar College

• Houston Community College System

• Lee College

• Odessa College

• Richland College

• South Texas College

• Tarrant County College District

• Weatherford College

THECB Statewide College Connection Expansion2007-2009

• Five Colleges Receive Planning Grants

• Cedar Valley College

• Cisco Junior College

• Northeast Texas Community College

• Paris Junior College

• Victoria College

THECB Statewide College Connection Expansion

• Colleges Already Adopting College Connection

• Alamo Community College District

• Central Texas College

• Coastal Bend Community College

• Del Mar Community College

• Houston Community College District

• Temple Community College

• Vernon College

• Victoria Community College

College ConnectionCollege Connection::How To StartHow To Start

Formal AgreementFormal Agreement

Between college and school district

Signed by chancellor and/or president and superintendent

Establishes transfer of student data from high school to college

Details responsibilities and expectations

Advance BriefingAdvance Briefing

District/Central Office Staff

High School Principal

Planning MeetingPlanning Meeting One meeting held annually in Summer or Fall

Schedule one hour (slightly longer for new schools or multiple schools)

Complete activity grid

Focus on scheduling

Leave activity details for * contacts

Communications between Communications between School District and CollegeSchool District and College

Electronic via list serv

Updated activity grid sent via e-mail when changes occur

College Connection website links

iCal◦Combined calendar for internal use

Data CollectionData CollectionVery ImportantCollect electronically (Excel spreadsheet)Collect from high school

◦ Name◦ Address◦ DOB◦ HS Student ID (for later record matching)◦ Test Scores (HS Exit Exam, SAT, ACT)

Mark records as College Connection cohort in student database

Data Follow-UpData Follow-UpTrack by school, how many students complete each

activity

May need multiple visits to get 100% participation

Give high school principal participation rates for use at graduation announcement ceremony

Report Fall enrollment from pilot schools (compare to benchmark), Spring persistence

Austin Community CollegeAustin Community CollegeCollege ConnectionCollege Connection Website Website

Access to scheduled activities for students, parents, and school officials

Calendars

Links to pertinent ACC school district sites

www.austincc.edu/isd

WebsiteWebsite

Participating schools

Links to school pages

Link to college pages of interest

Press coverage/special events

College ConnectionCollege Connection Logo Logo

College ConnectionCollege Connection::Guiding PrinciplesGuiding Principles

Guiding Principles: Guiding Principles: Sequencing Activities Sequencing Activities

When to schedule activities?◦ Senior Presentation

Prior to first activity, as soon as possible after school starts Usually admissions follows

◦ Admissions Application Fall Semester After receipt of data roster In time, where possible, for seniors to prepare for Spring dual-

credit registration


When to schedule activities?◦ Assessment

End of January through early March After receipt of test score roster – timed to allow maximum

number of SAT/ACT test scores to be included Allows students to receive the most instructional content prior to

testing

◦ Financial Aid Mid-January through Mid-March Presentations timed to coincide with W-2 arrival, tax

preparation, and meet college priority filing deadlines Night presentations and workshops for parents and students Financial Aid Saturdays

Guiding Principles: Guiding Principles: Sequencing ActivitiesSequencing Activities

When to schedule activities?◦ New Student Orientation

ACC calls this step “pre-advising” Completed online as ACC 101

Live program replaced by online module per school request School manages where and when students complete

Student prints checklist as proof of completion Many schools schedule during advisory Schedule window of time prior to academic advising

Recommend 1-3 weeks prior to advising session


When to schedule activities?◦ Academic Advising

Mid-February through Mid-April Allow time, if needed, for test scores to be entered or processed

and available to advisors ACC requires three weeks is using ASSET

◦ Complete all College Connection activities by Mid-April

Guiding Principles: Guiding Principles: SchedulingScheduling

The planning meeting for each school should occur before Fall semester, or as soon after school starts as possible

All events should be completed by Mid-April with rare exceptions◦ The month of May through end of school is extremely

busy on high school campuses

A student should be able to complete an individual activity (exception assessment testing) with one bell period

Guiding Principles: Scheduling– Guiding Principles: Scheduling– How Much Time?How Much Time?

Senior Presentation – 20 minutesAdmissions Application – 25 minutes

◦ Residency Form◦ Missing Credentials

Assessment – 5 hours◦ Partial testing takes less time

Math only – 1 hour Reading/writing – 2.25 hours

Pre-Advising – 25 minutesAdvising – 15 minutes average

Planning MeetingPlanning MeetingRecommended ParticipantsRecommended Participants

College High School District lead person

Implementation lead person

Team leader for services◦ Admissions representative◦ Financial Aid representative◦ Assessment representative◦ Recruitment representative◦ Advising representative◦ Recorder

Principal

Grade level principal or AP

Lead or senior counselor

Person in charge of testing/scheduling

Tech person (use of computer labs)

Other staff who works with the “senior class”

Planning MeetingPlanning MeetingRecommended Things to BringRecommended Things to Bring

College High School College Calendar

Admissions Team Calendar

Financial Aid Team Calendar

Assessment Team Calendar

Student Recruitment Team Calendar

Advising Team Calendar

Bell schedule

School calendar

A/B Block scheduling

Testing calendar

High School—College PartnershipHigh School—College Partnership

Plan for SuccessPlan for Success

Central Office StaffCentral Office Staff

Sign formal agreement before beginning◦ Work with superintendent

Understand and vocally support College Connection program◦ Announce program in meetings, newsletters, e-mails

Ensure your Board is informed◦ Invite Cedar Valley staff to do a brief presentation


Participate/help schools participate in “launch” activities◦ Press conference◦ Campus tours, celebrations, or special events

Attend as many campus planning meetings as possible◦ Hold planning meeting before activities begin on

campuses◦ Lays the foundation for organized program activities◦ Everyone is literally “on the same page”


Expect 100% student participation – make expectations clear to school staff

Provide support for school staff in scheduling all activities during school days◦ There is no other way to have 100% participation

Support and justify a pilot program to schools not

selected for initial participation

PrincipalPrincipal

Understand and vocally support College Connection program◦ Announce program in meetings, newsletters, e-mails

Participate in your campus planning meeting; your presence and leadership is key

Clear obstacles – allow access to students during school day

Assign a positive, helpful, supportive “asterisk” person

to coordinate each activity

PrincipalPrincipal

Allow the use of necessary school facilities during the school day for activities (computer labs, gyms for testing, etc.)

Help faculty understand your support for the program◦ Students will be pulled out of classes 3 or 4 times during the year

Understand College Connection as a process with sequenced activities◦ Time is needed between activities

◦ Program cannot easily be collapsed except in small schools

PrincipalPrincipal

Emphasize the importance of 100% participation ◦ Allow repeated access, if necessary, to ensure that all students

are included

Assign staff to accompany students to College Connection activities◦ To help keep order

◦ To personally identify students to TCCD staff

Ensure that your school website features College Connection

PrincipalPrincipal

Help solve any problems that may arise◦ During an activity◦ During the school year◦ Call College Connection contacts if needed

Recognize College Connection at graduation ceremonies; some examples◦ Announce how many students receive acceptance

letter◦ Ask College Connection students to stand

PrincipalPrincipalEnsure students receive college acceptance letter along

with their diploma

Ensure final, official high school transcripts for all students given to college at the end of the school year

CounselorCounselor

Understand and vocally support the program

◦ Announce in Meetings with classes

Senior assemblies

To individual students

“Counselor’s corner” of the school newsletter

E-mails to parents

Participate in your campus planning meeting

Clear obstacles – allow access

Be one of the positive, helpful, supportive “asterisk” people coordinating one or more College Connection activities

CounselorCounselor

Help find alternatives that allow the use of facilities for College Connection activities (computer labs, gyms for testing, etc.)

Help colleagues understand your support and that students will be pulled out of classes 3-4 times during the year

Understand that College Connection is a process and that sequenced activities (with some time between the activities) are important

CounselorCounselor

Understand the importance of 100% participation◦ Help students understand the benefits of College Connection even

if the student has applied or been accepted to another college Free testing FAFSA Easy entrance Higher income for more education

Accompany students to College Connection activities◦ Help keep order

◦ Personally identify students to TCCD staff

Ensure that College Connection is featured on your school website

CounselorCounselor

Help solve any problems that may arise during an activity, or during the school year◦ Call College Connection officials, if needed

Ensure that students receive the college acceptance letter along with their diploma

Ensure that official high school transcripts for all students are given in a batch to college at the end of the school year◦ Saves time for students when enrolling

◦ Makes process smoother for students not entering directly after graduation

CounselorCounselorHow much extra work is involved?

Common ChallengesCommon Challenges

Challenge #1 – Faculty ResistanceChallenge #1 – Faculty Resistance

Why does this occur?◦ Faculty not well-informed about the program

◦ Some have traditional bias against community colleges Concerns about quality of programs/instruction and

transferability of classes

Strategy – Counter Faculty ResistanceStrategy – Counter Faculty Resistance

Feature a College Connection presentation at general faculty meeting

Provide general information about TCCD programs, costs, state-wide transfer of classes between public institutions

Provide dates of pullouts well in advance, to allow for faculty planning

Emphasize benefits to students◦ Students will be “ready-to-register” at TCCD at the end of the year

Challenge #2 – Student ResistanceChallenge #2 – Student Resistance

Why does this occur?◦ Students not exposed to the program in advance

◦ Some are convinced they are going to college elsewhere or convinced they won’t need to go at all

◦ A “cool” student has refused to participate

Strategy – Lessen Student ResistanceStrategy – Lessen Student Resistance

Schedule a College Connection senior presentation before activities begin◦ People operate better with more knowledge rather than less

Encourage participation and explain program benefits to any student refusing to participate

Recruit school opinion leaders and role models to influence their peers

Challenge #3 – Alleviate Parent ConcernsChallenge #3 – Alleviate Parent Concerns

Why does this occur?◦ Parents don’t want to give sensitive family income

information to students, school or college staff

◦ No computer access at home

◦ Parents’ work schedule prevents easy completion

Strategy – Counter Parent Resistance on FAFSAStrategy – Counter Parent Resistance on FAFSA

Time school FAFSA activities to coincide with arrival of W-2 and filing of taxes

Provide evening FAFSA workshops – invite TCCD to participate or lead

Coordinate with volunteer programs that assist families with preparing/filing taxes

Provide information about necessary documents/information in advance to parents

Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers

For copies:For copies:

PowerPoint Presentation:

www.austincc.edu/isd/cedar_valley/021508PresentationPM.ppt

Documents

College Connection