College ConnectionCollege ConnectionRegional Texas Essential Skills Consortium

West Central Texas Workforce Development Board

July 14, 2006

Closing the Closing the GapsGaps

OverviewOverview

Closing the GapsClosing the Gaps

• 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

• Most students (over 50%) will elect to start at a community college

• Austin Community College expects 15,000 more students by 2015.

Closing the GapsClosing the Gaps

• State must increase minority participation rates

• Goal to increase enrollment in higher education by 630,000 by 2015

• “College-going” rate lags among minority populations

• Participation rates of minorities need to be proportional to population figures for the State to improve quality of life and to maintain State economic advantage

Why College Why College Connection?Connection?

“Education beyond high school

increasesearning potential and

employment opportunities.”

U.S. Department of Education

Learn to EarnLearn to Earn

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Source: Postsecondary Education OPPORTUNITY

Excuses For Not Excuses For Not Continuing Your Continuing Your EducationEducation

No one in my family has ever gone to college.

I’ve been in school for 12 years. That’s enough! I just want a good job.

I can’t afford it.

I don’t know what I want to do with my life.

I won’t fit in.College is too hard.I don’t know how to apply or where I want to go.

Source: Adapted from The College Board’s “Seven Excuses Not to Go to College and Why They’re Lame”

College College ConnectionConnectionOverviewOverview

Improving High Improving High School to College School to College Transitions - GoalsTransitions - Goals• Create a culture/expectation that “College is in

everyone’s future”

• Improve/increase percentage of high school graduates who enter college after high school graduation

• Improve/increase number of high school students who earn college credit while in high school

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005

Austin Community College Service AreaCollege Transition Rates

*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/1161.PDF

School District

Total High

School Graduat

es

Students Enrolled in

Texas Universities

Students Enrolled in Texas 2-

year Colleges

Students Not Located

in Texas Higher

Education *

Austin 3,732 1040 28% 687 18% 2,005

54%

Bastrop 446 105 24% 102 23% 239 54%

Blanco 63 18 29% 14 22% 31 49%

Coupland**

Del Valle 360 57 16% 67 19% 236 66%

Doss**

Dripping Springs 234 114 49% 54 23% 66 28%

Eanes 576 256 44% 53 9% 267 46%

Elgin 211 58 27% 42 20% 111 53%

Fredericksburg 228 90 39% 30 13% 108 47%

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005

Austin Community College Service AreaCollege Transition Rates

School District

Total High

School Graduat

es

Students Enrolled in

Texas Universities

Students Enrolled in Texas 2-

year Colleges

Students Not Located

in Texas Higher

Education *

Georgetown 530 189 36% 95 18% 246 46%

Harper 33 17 51% 4 12% 12 36%

Hays 531 164 31% 77 15% 290 55%

Jarrell 38 10 26% 10 26% 18 47%

Johnson City 58 23 40% 9 16% 26 45%

Lago Vista 65 21 32% 8 12% 36 55%

Lake Travis 320 150 47% 54 17% 116 36%

Leander 1,016 312 31% 282 28% 422 42%

Liberty Hill 138 42 30% 30 22% 66 48%

Lockhart 241 66 27% 28 12% 147 61%*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/1161.PDF

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005

Austin Community College Service AreaCollege Transition Rates

School District

Total High

School Graduat

es

Students Enrolled in

Texas Universities

Students Enrolled in Texas 2-

year Colleges

Students Not Located

in Texas Higher

Education *

Luling 81 17 21% 7 9% 57 70%

Manor 140 27 19% 26 19% 87 62%

McDade**

Nixon Smiley 59 10 17% 13 22% 36 61%

Pflugerville 940 334 36% 202 21% 404 43%

Prairie Lea**

Round Rock 2,202 747 34% 398 18% 1,057

48%

San Marcos 400 102 26% 64 16% 234 59%

Smithville 105 25 24% 24 23% 56 53%

Wimberley 160 65 41% 34 21% 61 38%

Total 12,907 4,059

31% 2,414

19% 6,434

50%*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/1161.PDF

College Connection College Connection ProgramProgram• Many high school students find the college

enrollment process intimidating.

• Austin Community College 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.

College ConnectionCollege Connection Students Receive On-Campus Students Receive On-Campus Activities:Activities:• Access to college and help getting started• Student life information • Admission application• ACC Video Teleconference—Campus Tour• Financial aid application• ASSET assessment • Tour of Austin Community College campus(es)• Pre-Advising (ACC 101)• Advising• Acceptance letter to ACC at graduation• Registration for ACC classes

Red=Required Blue=Recommended Black=Optional

College College Connection Connection Activity Grid Activity Grid SampleSample

Activity Date Time LocationEquipment

Communication San Marcos HS Contact(*Lead Contact)Name@san-marcos.isd.tenet.edu

ACC Contact(*Lead Contact)Name@austincc.edu

Signature Letter of Release

August 15-26, 2005

Biolerplate letter

•Letters to parents contest

*Cecily MooreCecily.moore

*Linda KluckLkluck

For all Seniors:-Access to College-Getting Started-Financial Aid-Career Planning

September 8, 2005

9:45-11:15 a.m.

SMHS Auditorium and Library

•Notice in parent newsletter•Notice on high school website

*Cecily MooreCecily.moore

*George ReyesReyAmy KochAkoch

Admissions Application

Make-Up Day

Sept 14, 2005

Sept 28, 2005

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

San Marcos HS Library 60 computers

•Intercom announcements•Notice to faculty

*Cecily MooreCecily.moore

*Amy KochAkoch

ASSET Assessment (paper and pencil)

Nov 8 & 10, 2005

8:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

SMCISD Fine Arts Theater and Library

•Schedule to parents and on web site

*Cecily MooreCecily.moore

*Amy KochAkoch

Financial Aid Information Night

Feb. 15, 2006

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

San Marcos HS LibraryUse incentives for kids to attend

Information sheet disseminated to students @ school & via web site

*Cecily MooreCecily.moore

*Terry BazanTbazan@austincc.edu

San Marcos Lead: Chad Kelly, 512-393-6800, chad.kelly@smcisd.net Senior Count: 424 (SMHS)Cecily Moore, 512-393-6800, cecily.moore@smcisd.net 16 (Pride HS) ACC Lead: Mary Hensley, 223-7618, mhensley@austincc.edu/Luanne Preston, 223-7355, luanne@austincc.eduAdmin. Assistant: Esther Buzard, 223-7618, ebuzard@austincc.edu/Charlene Washington, 223-7353, cwash@austincc.edu

SHADE/BOLD – Required College Connection Activities

School Districts Participating School Districts Participating in the Austin Community in the Austin Community College College College Connection Program College Connection Program 2003-20062003-20062003-2004 (Year 1)

San Marcos CISD

2004-2005 (Year 2)

Austin ISD

Bastrop ISD

Del Valle ISD

Leander ISD

San Marcos CISD

2005-2006 (Year 3)

Austin ISD

Bastrop ISD

Del Valle ISD

Hays CISD

Leander ISD

Manor ISD

Pflugerville ISD

San Marcos CISD

2006-2007 (Year 4)

Austin ISD

Bastrop ISD

Del Valle ISD

Elgin ISD

Hays CISD

Jarrell ISD

Leander ISD

Lockhart ISD

Luling ISD

Manor ISD

Pflugerville ISD

Prairie Lea ISD

Round Rock ISD-SPHS

San Marcos CISD

School Districts School Districts Participating in the Participating in the College ConnectionCollege Connection Program 2006-2007Program 2006-2007School District Number of Seniors

Austin ISD 4,948

Bastrop ISD 577

Del Valle ISD 520

Elgin ISD 236

Hays CISD 701

Jarrell ISD 61

Leander ISD 1,328

Lockhart ISD 376

Luling ISD 124

Manor ISD 226

Pflugerville ISD 1,329

Prairie Lea ISD 13

Round Rock ISD-SPHS 738

San Marcos CISD 533

Total 11,710

Other Community Other Community Colleges Adopting Colleges Adopting College Connection College Connection ProgramProgram• Coastal Bend Community College

• Del Mar Community College

• Houston Community College

• Temple Community College

• Victoria Community College

““Closing the Gaps” Closing the Gaps” BackgroundBackground

“The community college’s role in the goal of participation is absolutely vital. We talk about students who come directly from high school into higher education, and while the numbers are going up, we are not attracting a significant increase in the pool. That’s one of the areas that we’re going to have to spend some real effort – in encouraging students who complete high school to continue on with higher education and the Connections Program that has been talked about already today is absolutely the way that it needs to happen all across the state to change.”Dr. Glenda BarronAssistant Commissioner, Community and Technical Colleges DivisionTexas Higher Education Coordinating BoardJanuary 7, 2005

“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 ParedesCommissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating BoardJanuary 6, 2005

““The state must look forThe state must look for successful programs with successful programs with statewide potential, such as ACC’s statewide potential, such as ACC’s College Connection program, in College Connection program, in which seniors in participating high which seniors in participating high schools are given help with schools are given help with financial aid forms and required to financial aid forms and required to fill out applications.”fill out applications.”

Raymond ParedesRaymond ParedesState Higher Education CommissionerState Higher Education CommissionerAustin American StatesmanAustin American Statesman, April 16, 2006, April 16, 2006

College College ConnectionConnection

ResultsResults

The Austin Community CollegeThe Austin Community CollegeCollege Connection Program Works!College Connection Program Works!

District Students Not Located in Texas

Higher EducationFall 20031

Students Not Located in

Texas Higher Education Fall

20042

Students Not Located in

Texas Higher Education Fall 20053

% Increase of

students Located in

Higher Education

San Marcos 273 66% 219 55% 234 59% 7 %Austin 2,155 56% 2,066 56% 2,005 54% 2 %Bastrop 286 69% 234 57% 239 54% 15 %Del Valle 293 77% 312 80% 236 66% 11 %Leander 444 48% 459 48% 422 42% 6 %

Districts Initiating the College Connection Program in Fall 2005Hays 281 57% 311 57% 290 55% 2 %Manor 51 57% 74 57% 87 62% -5 %Pflugerville 407 44% 470 49% 404 43% 1 %

Blue=Year after College Connection started1-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

College Connection College Connection Results for Austin Results for Austin Community College-Community College-Fall 2005Fall 2005• Positive effect on fall enrollments

• 37.6% increase in enrollment from College Connection High Schools from Fall ’04 to Fall ’05

• Positive effect on Early College Start enrollments• 25.6% increase in enrollment from Fall ’04 to Fall ’05

• Positive effect on Tech Prep enrollments• 647% increase in number of students receiving Tech

Prep credit from Fall ’04 to Fall ’05

College Connection Program National Acclaim & Recognition

The College The College ConnectionConnectionWeb SiteWeb Site

• Information in English and Spanish

• Information for parents

• Information for students

• Information for school district personnel

• Calendars

• Links to pertinent Austin Community College

sites

www.austincc.edu/isd

Early College Early College StartStart

OverviewOverview

Early College Start Early College Start Program (ECS)Program (ECS)

• Students qualify academically

• Enroll in ACC courses

• Complete classes for college credit

• Use college credit to meet graduation requirements

ECSECS

• District signs MOU

• ECS liaison helps with:• academic year planning; courses on your campus;

counselor updates

• pre-enrollment services offered at high school campus• information session• assessment testing• academic advising

Student EnrollmentStudent Enrollment

• Complete ACC application, ECS Form• Requires approval from counselor, principal (or designee)• Requires signature of parent• Students limited to 2 courses each semester (includes

summer)• Test, if not exempt via TAKS, SAT, or ACT• Complete ACC 101 online pre-advising• Obtain signature of ACC academic advisor• Register for classes by phone or web• Pay for classes, if necessary

Student CostsStudent Costs

• Out-of-district students pay a low cost• $40 per course for courses at ACC campus or distance

learning• Free for courses at Elgin HS or any other HS facility

• Textbooks, materials

• Official college transcript

• Parking permit (if parking on ACC campus)

ECS at Elgin HSECS at Elgin HS

• Courses offered in Spring semester for 5 years

• “Singleton” courses (criminal justice, personal computing, government, psychology, sociology, German)

• Some taught by Elgin teachers, some taught by ACC adjunct faculty

• Scheduling challenges (time of day); sufficient enrollment

• Faculty challenges (ACC SACS changes)

Scheduling Courses Scheduling Courses at Elgin HSat Elgin HS

• Work with ECS liaison to request courses

• ECS liaison requests approval from ACC Department Chair; staffing affects approvals

• College schedule development timeline differs from HS—start early

• Must schedule appropriate class period and semester length

• Summer courses possible

Who Provides Who Provides Faculty?Faculty?

• Elgin HS faculty• Must meet SACS qualifications

• Master’s degree with 18 graduate hours in content area

• Go through ACC faculty hiring process

• ACC adjunct faculty• ACC sends adjunct faculty member

Who Pays for Who Pays for Faculty?Faculty?

• Elgin HS faculty• EISD pays if faculty teaching as part of assigned load• ACC pays if faculty teaches during zero hour, after

school, or during conference period• Even if EISD pays, the faculty member is under the

supervision of ACC Dept. Chair for the college instruction, and must complete all ACC requirements (portfolio, evaluation, etc.)

• ACC adjunct faculty• ACC pays

Elgin ECS ResourcesElgin ECS Resources

• Link Davidson• 689-4819 (ACC mobile number)• 512-353-7224 ACC San Marcos Center• Leave message• Linkd@austincc.edu

• ECS Websitehttp://www.austincc.edu/ecs/index.html

For a copy of this For a copy of this presentation:presentation:

www.austincc.edu/isd/RTESC/071306Presentation.ppt