College Connection

College ConnectionCollege ConnectionDeep East Texas P-16 Council

December 5, 2008

PresenterPresenter

Luanne PrestonExecutive Director, School RelationsAustin Community [email protected]

College Connection College Connection AgendaAgenda Closing the Gaps Overview College Connection Overview How It Works Guiding Principles Program Results Program Recognition State and National Interest in Expansion How To Start Plan for Success Next Steps 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.

Angelina College’s target goal is over 1,844 more students by 2015.

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

College ConnectionCollege ConnectionOverviewOverview

Education Beyond High SchoolEducation Beyond High School

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 2007Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2007

Angelina College District Service AreaCollege Transition Rates

*Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the year immediately following graduation, students who could not be tracked, and 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/1497.PDF

School DistrictSchool District

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 Texas Located in Texas

Higher Higher Education *Education *

Central ISDCentral ISD 9595 1313 14%14% 2929 31%31% 5353 56%56%

Diboll ISDDiboll ISD 119119 1919 16%16% 4646 39%39% 5454 45%45%

Hudson ISDHudson ISD 120120 2121 18%18% 4747 39%39% 5252 43%43%

Huntington ISDHuntington ISD 140140 1515 11%11% 5151 36%36% 7474 53%53%

Lufkin ISDLufkin ISD 449449 114114 25%25% 129129 29%29% 206206 46%46%

Zavalla ISDZavalla ISD 2828 55 18%18% 1010 36%36% 1313 46%46%

Crockett ISDCrockett ISD 8181 2222 27%27% 1919 24%24% 4040 49%49%

Grapeland ISDGrapeland ISD 4141 1111 27%27% 1212 29%29% 1818 44%44%

Latexo ISD 29 6 21% 7 24% 16 55%55%

Lovelady ISD 33 13 40% 11 33% 9 27%27%





GraduatesGraduates






Higher Higher Education Education **

Central Heights ISDCentral Heights ISD 4343 99 21%21% 1616 37%37% 1818 42%42%

Cushing ISDCushing ISD 3636 66 17%17% 99 25%25% 2121 58%58%

Garrison ISDGarrison ISD 4040 44 10%10% 1616 40%40% 2020 50%50%

Nacogdoches ISDNacogdoches ISD 347347 110110 32%32% 4242 12%12% 195195 56%56%

Woden ISDWoden ISD 4444 1414 32%32% 88 18%18% 2222 50%50%

Corrigan-Camden Corrigan-Camden ISDISD

5555 99 16%16% 1212 22%22% 3434 62%62%

Livingston ISDLivingston ISD 229229 4747 20%20% 5252 23%23% 130130 57%57%

Onalaska ISDOnalaska ISD 3535 77 20%20% 33 9%9% 2525 71%71%

Hemphill ISD 58 15 26% 9 16% 34 59%59%

West Sabine ISD 37 5 14% 14 38% 18 49%49%

Broaddus ISD 28 3 11% 9 32% 16 57%57%

San Augustine 57 15 26% 12 21% 30 53%53%





GraduatesGraduates






Higher Higher Education Education **

Groveton ISDGroveton ISD 4141 1111 27%27% 1515 37%37% 1515 37%37%

Trinity ISDTrinity ISD 6262 1313 21%21% 44 7%7% 4545 73%73%

Colmesneil ISDColmesneil ISD 4444 66 14%14% 1515 34%34% 2323 52%52%

Spurger ISDSpurger ISD 2626 88 31%31% 00 0%0% 1818 69%69%

Warren ISDWarren ISD 6565 1616 25%25% 1515 23%23% 3434 52%52%

Woodville ISDWoodville ISD 5757 1818 32%32% 1717 30%30% 2222 39%39%

Alto ISDAlto ISD 3737 77 19%19% 1717 46%46% 1313 35%35%

Newton ISD 65 8 12% 13 20% 44 68%68%

Jasper ISD 143 43 30% 27 19% 73 51%51%

Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD

93 31 33% 11 12% 51 55%55%

Shepherd ISD 94 15 16% 17 18% 62 66%66%

TOTALTOTAL 28712871 659659 23%23% 714714 25%25% 14981498 52%52%

College ConnectionCollege ConnectionHow It WorksHow It Works

College Connection College Connection ProgramProgramMany high school students find the college

enrollment process intimidating.

Austin Community 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 Austin Community 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, 2008

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, 2008

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, 2008

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: Laurie Clark, 223-7618, [email protected]

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

Admin. Assistant: Claire Lewis, 223-7354, [email protected] Senior Count:400

SHADE/BOLD – Required College Connection Activities

Lifetime Acceptance “at ACC”

Application never discarded

Provides a permanent college home

Students come to ACC:◦ Full-time◦ Part-time◦ In Summer for transfer◦ After military service◦ After career changes◦ While attending 4-year

institution (co-enroll)

Lifetime Acceptance “at ACC”

Cohorts can be tracked by semester of entry

Longitudinal data collected for◦ Retention◦ Completion◦ Success

College ConnectionCollege Connection::Guiding PrinciplesGuiding Principles

Deliver services on high school campus◦ “If they’re really interested, they should come to us”◦ “Getting them to the college campus really gets them

excited; they need to see the college campus”◦ Traditional recruitment has not produced desired results

What if the school wants to bring students to the college campus for activities other than campus tours?◦ Ascertain the school’s purpose – this approach can be

useful in some circumstances, but it is generally more efficient to serve students at the high school

Guiding Principles: College Connection

Deliver services during school day

Work with every category of high school student◦ Gifted and talented◦ Advanced Placement/Honors◦ Bilingual/ESL◦ Section 504◦ Special Education


Students do not need to repeat steps◦ Dual-credit students do not have to re-apply◦ Exempt students do not have to re-test

Design activities within one bell period◦ Exception is assessment testing◦ Be respectful of instructional time

Customize service delivery◦ Meet high school needs◦ Honor school preferences

Incorporate suggestions of school personnel


Program ResultsProgram Results

College ConnectionCollege Connection Program Growth Program Growth

Over 4 years:

1 school district to 24 school districts

2 high schools to 55 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 4-Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1497.pdf

ISD

Students NOT Located in Higher Education in Texas 2007 Increase of Students in TX HIED Since Inception

Fall 2003 Fall 2004 Fall 2005 Fall 2006 Fall 2007

# % # % # % # % # %San Marcos 273 66% 219 55% 234 59% 294 66% 277 64% 2%Austin 2,155 56% 2,066 56% 2,005 54% 2,014 52% 1871 52% 4%Bastrop 286 69% 234 57% 239 54% 282 61% 223 55% 2%Del Valle 293 77% 312 80% 236 66% 229 71% 227 75% 5 %Leander 444 48% 459 48% 422 42% 418 40% 452 38% 10 %Hays 281 57% 309 56% 290 55% 286 51% 296 48% 7 %Manor 51 57% 74 57% 87 62% 89 68% 85 56% 6 %Pflugerville 194 47% 201 47% 204 48% 156 46% 445 42% 6 %

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 4-Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1497.pdf

ISD

Students NOT Located in Higher Education in Texas 2007 Increase of Students in TX HIED Since Inception

Fall 2003 Fall 2004 Fall 2005 Fall 2006 Fall 2007# % # % # % # % # %

Elgin 95 56% 72 45% 11%Jarrell 22 50% 26 52% -2%Lockhart 170 63% 139 55% 8%Luling 54 62% 54 67% -5%Round Rock

1020 47% 959 44% 3%

Smithville 66 53% 56 57% -4%

College ConnectionCollege Connection Diversity of Participants 2007-08Diversity of Participants 2007-08

More than 50% 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◦ Sustained growth over five years at about 30%

per year

Early College Start (Dual Credit) Enrollments◦ 41% increase from ’05 – ‘08

Tech Prep Enrollments◦ 98% increase in enrollment from ‘03 to ‘08

36 students in 2003-04 48 students in 2004-05 293 students in 2005-06 1,597 students in 2006-07 2,181 students in 2007-08

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

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 higher education partner 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◦ Planning meetings to be held before activities begin

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


Expect 100% 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 the pilot program for schools not yet

participating

PrincipalPrincipal

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

Participate in your campus planning meeting

Clear obstacles – allow access

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

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

included

PrincipalPrincipal

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

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

PrincipalPrincipalRecognize College Connection at graduation ceremonies;

some examples◦ Announce how many students receive acceptance letter◦ Ask College Connection students to stand

Ensure students receive college acceptance letter along with their diploma

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

Use College Connection data to celebrate, apply for grants

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

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

CounselorCounselor

Help find alternatives that allow the College Connection process to be completed (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

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 your college partner at the end of the school year◦ Saves time for students when enrolling

◦ Makes process smoother for students not entering directly after graduation

Next StepsNext Steps• Find high school or college partner

• Create/sign appropriate Agreement

• Brief district/high school personnel

• Conduct planning meeting• Begin, if possible, right after school year ends• Next best time is August, before classes begin

Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers

For copies:For copies:

PowerPoint Presentation:www.austincc.edu/isd/Deep EastP16/120508Presentation.ppt

Documents

College Connection