College Connection Tarrant County Community College Presentation March 1, 2007

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Strategic Plan “Closing the Gaps” Overview

Closing the Gaps in Participation 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 Most students will elect to start at a community college. Austin Community College District expects 15,000 more students by 2015.

College Connection Overview

Education Beyond High School Increases earning potential and employment opportunities U.S. Department of Education

Learn to Earn Source: Postsecondary Education OPPORTUNITY

Improving High School to College 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.

“ 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

Why Make A College Connection?

Excuses For Not Continuing Your Education 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”

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005 Austin Community College Service Area College Transition Rates *Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the Fall semester 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: School District Total High School Graduates Students Enrolled in Texas Universities Students Enrolled in Texas 2-year Colleges Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education * Austin3, %68718%2,005 54% Bastrop %10223%239 54% Blanco631829%1422%31 49% Coupland** Del Valle %6719%236 66% Doss** Dripping Springs %5423%66 28% Eanes %539%267 46% Elgin %4220%111 53% Fredericksburg %3013%108 47%

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005 Austin Community College Service Area College Transition Rates School District Total High School Graduates Students Enrolled in Texas Universities Students Enrolled in Texas 2-year Colleges Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education * Georgetown %9518%246 46% Harper331751%412%12 36% Hays %7715%290 55% Jarrell381026%1026%18 47% Johnson City582340%916%26 45% Lago Vista652132%812%36 55% Lake Travis %5417%116 36% Leander1, %28228%422 42% Liberty Hill %3022%66 48% Lockhart %2812%147 61% *Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the Fall semester 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:

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005 Austin Community College Service Area College Transition Rates School District Total High School Graduates Students Enrolled in Texas Universities Students Enrolled in Texas 2-year Colleges Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education * Luling811721%79%57 70% Manor %2619%87 62% McDade** Nixon-Smiley591017%1322%36 61% Pflugerville %20221%404 43% Prairie Lea** Round Rock2, %39818%1,057 48% San Marcos %6416%234 59% Smithville %2423%5653% Wimberley %3421%61 38% Total12,9074,05931%2,41419%6,43450% *Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the Fall semester 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:

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005 Tarrant County College Service Area College Transition Rates *Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the Fall semester 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: School District Total High School Graduates Students Enrolled in Texas Universities Students Enrolled in Texas 2-year Colleges Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education * Arlington3, %82725%1,516 46% Azle %10931%196 55% Birdville1, %36829%591 47% Carroll %7113%250 47% Castleberry %2618%89 62% Crowley %18525%318 42% Eagle Mt-Saginaw %12327%240 54%

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005 Tarrant County College Service Area College Transition Rates School District Total High School Graduates Students Enrolled in Texas Universities Students Enrolled in Texas 2-year Colleges Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education * Erath4212%25%39 93% Everman %5328%100 53% Ft. Worth CAN17432%106%161 93% Ft. Worth3, %73221%2,127 60% Grapevine- Colleyville 1, %21321%409 41% Hurst-Euless- Bedford 1, %31625%594 47% Keller1, %37429%497 39% *Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the Fall semester 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:

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005 Tarrant County College Service Area College Transition Rates School District Total High School Graduates Students Enrolled in Texas Universities Students Enrolled in Texas 2-year Colleges Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education * Kennedale %4224%83 47% Lake Worth961617%2829%52 54% Mansfield1, %39533%497 41% Theresa B Lee 72 68%46%62 86% White Settlement %7830%134 51% Total16,0984,18726%3,95625%7,95549% *Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the Fall semester 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:

College Connection How It Works

College Connection Program Many 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 District.

Students Receive Services at the High School: Required Admission application ASSET or COMPASS Pre-advising Academic advising Graduation letter Optional Student life info Teleconference Campus tours Registration Other Recommended Senior presentation Financial aid application

College Connection Activity Grid Sample ActivityDateTimeLocation Equipment CommunicationSan Marcos HS Contact (*Lead Contact) cisd.net ACC District Contact (*Lead Contact) Signature Letter of Release August 30, 2006 Template letterLetters to parents contest *Cecily Moore cecily.moore *Luanne Preston luanne Senior AssemblySeptember 8, :45-11:15 a.m. SMHS Auditorium and Library Notice in parent newsletter Notice on high school website *Chad Kelly chad.kelly *K. Leigh Forell khammfor Admissions Application Make-Up Day October 3, 2006 October 6, :20 a.m. – 3:55 p.m. Library computer labs/ English classes Non-citizen students must obtain alternate ID before completeing application *Mary Williams mary.williams *Linda Kluck lkluck ASSET Assessment (paper and pencil) February 6 & 8, :20 a.m. – 3:55 p.m. Room A123; Library Schedule to parents & on web site *Mary Williams mary.williams *Holly Delacroix hdelacro Financial AidApril 12, :20 a.m. – 3:55 p.m. LibraryInformation sheet disseminated to school & via web site *Cecily Moore cecily.moore *Gail Braswell gbraswell District Lead:Sylvia Garza, , San Marcos HS Lead:Chad Kelly, , Admin. Assistant: Lisa Jordan, , ACC Lead:Mary Hensley, , Preston, , Exec. Assistant: Esther Buzard, , College Connection Lead:Luanne Preston, , Admin. Assistant: Laurie Clark, , Senior Count:424 (SMHS) SHADE/BOLD – Required College Connection Activities

Lifetime Acceptance Application never discarded Provide a permanent college home Students come to ACC District In summer for transfer After military service After career changes Co-enroll while attending 4-year institution Cohorts can be tracked by semester of entry; ACC District collects longitudinal data for retention, completion and success

Program Results

Connection School Districts College Connection School Districts (Year 1) San Marcos (Year 2) Austin Bastrop Del Valle Leander San Marcos (Year 3) Austin Bastrop Del Valle Hays Leander Manor Pflugerville San Marcos (Year 4) Austin Bastrop Blanco Del Valle Elgin Fredericksburg Harper Hays Jarrell Johnson City Lago Vista Leander Liberty Hill Lockhart Luling Manor Nixon-Smiley Pflugerville Prairie Lea Round Rock San Marcos Smithville

Students Served Through College Connection School DistrictNumber of High Schools Approximate Number of Seniors Austin ISD124,200 Bastrop ISD1560 Blanco ISD177 Del Valle ISD2367 Elgin ISD2234 Fredericksburg ISD1236 Harper ISD133 Hays CISD3665 Jarrell ISD160 Johnson City ISD149 Lago Vista ISD189 Leander ISD41,386 Liberty Hill ISD1138 Lockhart ISD2376 Luling ISD1124 Manor ISD2226 Nixon-Smiley CISD173 Pflugerville ISD2436 Prairie Lea ISD120 Round Rock ISD52,597 San Marcos CISD2484 Smithville ISD1115 Total4812,545

College Connection Program Growth Over 3 years: 1 school district to 22 school districts 2 high schools to 48 high schools 400 students to 12,000+ students ACC District’s Future Goal: Include all 30 school districts in service area

Diversity of College Connection Participants Anglo - 41% African American - 11% Hispanic - 39% Asian - 4% Other - 5%

More than 55% of College Connection enrollees are minorities Higher percentage entering ACC District through College Connection than in the general ACC District student population Traditionally Underrepresented in Higher Education - Students Enroll at ACC District

The ACC College Connection Program Works! District Students Enrolling at ACC Fall 2003 Students Enrolling at ACC Fall 2004 Students Enrolling at ACC Fall 2005 Students Enrolling at ACC Fall 2006 % Increase of Students Enrolling at ACC Austin ISD % Bastrop ISD % Del Valle ISD % Hays CISD % Leander ISD % Manor ISD % Pflugerville ISD % San Marcos CISD % Source: and ACC Office Of Institutional Effectiveness and Accountabilityhttp://

College Connection Results for ACC District, Positive effect on fall enrollments Immediate great results: 37.6% increase first year 59% increase over two years Positive effect on Early College Start enrollments 25.6% increase in enrollment from ‘04 to ’05 45% increase in enrollment from ’04 to ’06 Positive effect on Tech Prep enrollments 714% increase in number of students receiving Tech Prep credit 36 students in students in students in

Related Initiatives Mini-College Connection for Adult Education College Connection Scholarships

Program Recognition

College Connection Program National Acclaim & Recognition

Awards Received THECB Star Award Award Recipient November 2006 Excelencia in Education Award Semi-Finalist October 2006 Bellwether Award Award Recipient January 2007

Texas Community Colleges Adopting College Connection Program Alamo Community College District Coastal Bend Community College Del Mar Community College Houston Community College District Temple Community College Victoria Community College

Other Texas Community Colleges Express Interest in College Connection Program Vernon College Odessa College Central Texas College El Paso Community College

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Interest in statewide expansion

External Funding TG Public Benefit Grant – $155,000 provide services to 8 rural schools scholarships for any participant Texas Pioneer Foundation - $50,000 provide services to 5 rural schools Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce - $108,000 provides services to 3 large high schools in 2 nd largest district in service area Round Rock ISD - $18,000 contracting with ACC to provide services at district’s largest high school

Mobile Go Center

Mobile Go Center Funding Advanced Micro Devices AT&T Foundation College For All Texans Foundation Assist in College Connection services Make non- College Connection visits to malls, community centers, etc.

College Connection Website Access to scheduled activities for students, parents, and school officials Calendars Links to pertinent ACC school district sites

Directory Educational Choices Educational Choices Costs & Financial Aid Student Support Library Locations Get Answers Costs & Financial Aid Student Support Library Locations Get Answers A C H o m eA C C H o m e » C ol le ge C on ne cti on at A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge College Connection receives state and national recognition and awards: T e x a s H ig h e r E d u c a ti o n C o o r d i n a ti n g B o a r d 's S T A R A w a r d C o m m u n it y C ol le g e F u t u r e s A ss e m b ly B el l w et h e r A w a r d F i n al is t E x c el e n ci a i n E d u c a ti o n S e m if i n al is t Graduating seniors in Austin, Bastrop, Blanco, Del Valle, Elgin, Fredericksburg, Harper, Hays, Jarrell, Johnson City, Lago Vista, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lockhart, Luling, Manor, Nixon-Smiley, Pflugerville, Prairie Lea, Round Rock, San Marcos, and Smithville ISDs will now receive two sources of recognition when they walk across the stage to graduate: a diploma and an acceptance letter to college. This is due to a new, nationally recognized program called College Connection. Through the College Connection program, ACC will provide hands-on, one-on-one support to assist every student through each step of the college admissions process. College Connection will help increase the number of graduating seniors who enter college by creating an awareness of the benefits of going to college. Bringing this unique partnership to the community is an important step toward student success. By working together to “close the gap,” we can help improve the quality of life in Central Texas…one student at a time. "Suddenly, (going to college) changes from being a possibility to an expectation." -Raymund Paredes, Texas Higher Education Commissioner W eb m as te rW eb m as te r Di re ct or y C op yr ig ht L eg al N ot ic es A bo ut A C C C on ta ct A C C A C C H o m e L as t m od ifi ed : D ec e m be r : 22 p m | A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge Di str ict A us ti n, T X Di re ct or y C op yr ig ht L eg al N ot ic es A bo ut A C on ta ct A C A C H o m e F ut u re S tu d e nt s F ut u re S tu d e nt s C u rr e nt S tu d e nt s F a c ul ty a n d S ta ff C o m m u ni ty a n d B u si n e ss N e w sr o o m A - Z I n d e x C u rr e nt S tu d e nt s F a c ul ty a n d S ta ff C o m u ni ty a n d B u si n e ss N e w sr o m A - Z I n d e x College Connection at Austin Community CollegeCollege Connection at Austin Community College A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge M id dl e Fi sk vi lle R d. A us ti n, Te xa s A C C (4 22 2) Apply Apply Schedule Register Schedule Register B la c k b o ar d L o gi nB la c k b o ar d L o gi n A C C 1 0 1A C A C C A li v e T el et o u rA C A li v e T el et o u r T O P C A TT O P C A T E n E s p a ñ olE n E s p a ñ ol C ol le g e C o n n e ct io n H o m eC ol le g e C o n e ct io n H o m e S c h o ol D is tr ic ts P ar ti ci p at in g in C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nS c h o ol D is tr ic ts P ar ti ci p at in g in C ol le g e C o n e ct io n S te p s to C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nS te p s to C ol le g e C o n e ct io n A b o ut C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nA b o ut C ol le g e C o n e ct io n W h y C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nW h y C ol le g e C o n e ct io n A C C 's R ol e in C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nA C 's R ol e in C ol le g e C o n e ct io n W h at S tu d e nt s G etW h at S tu d e nt s G et A C C D e p ar t m e nt s in v ol v e d in C ol le g e C o nnectionA C D e p ar t m e nt s in v ol v e d in C ol le g e C o n ectionCollegeConnectionIntheNewsCollegeCon ectionIntheNewsACCCentersAC entersACCWeblinksAC WeblinksMobileGoCenterMobileGoCenter Welcome to College Connection Luanne Preston, Ph.D Executive Director, Early College Start and College Connections Austin Community College 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX (512) (512) (fax) Mary Hensley, Ed.D Vice President, College Support Systems and ISD Relations Austin Community College 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX (512) (512) (fax) du For additional information about ACC's College Connection Program, please contact Directory Educational Choices Educational Choices Costs & Financial Aid Student Support Library Locations Get Answers Costs & Financial Aid Student Support Library Locations Get Answers A C H o m eA C C H o m e » C ol le ge C on ne cti on at A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge College Connection receives state and national recognition and awards: T e x a s H ig h e r E d u c a ti o n C o o r d i n a ti n g B o a r d 's S T A R A w a r d C o m m u n it y C ol le g e F u t u r e s A ss e m b ly B el l w et h e r A w a r d F i n al is t E x c el e n ci a i n E d u c a ti o n S e m if i n al is t Graduating seniors in Austin, Bastrop, Blanco, Del Valle, Elgin, Fredericksburg, Harper, Hays, Jarrell, Johnson City, Lago Vista, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lockhart, Luling, Manor, Nixon-Smiley, Pflugerville, Prairie Lea, Round Rock, San Marcos, and Smithville ISDs will now receive two sources of recognition when they walk across the stage to graduate: a diploma and an acceptance letter to college. This is due to a new, nationally recognized program called College Connection. Through the College Connection program, ACC will provide hands-on, one-on-one support to assist every student through each step of the college admissions process. College Connection will help increase the number of graduating seniors who enter college by creating an awareness of the benefits of going to college. Bringing this unique partnership to the community is an important step toward student success. By working together to “close the gap,” we can help improve the quality of life in Central Texas…one student at a time. "Suddenly, (going to college) changes from being a possibility to an expectation." -Raymund Paredes, Texas Higher Education Commissioner W eb m as te rW eb m as te r Di re ct or y C op yr ig ht L eg al N ot ic es A bo ut A C C C on ta ct A C C A C C H o m e L as t m od ifi ed : D ec e m be r : 22 p m | A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge Di str ict A us ti n, T X Di re ct or y C op yr ig ht L eg al N ot ic es A bo ut A C on ta ct A C A C H o m e F ut u re S tu d e nt s F ut u re S tu d e nt s C u rr e nt S tu d e nt s F a c ul ty a n d S ta ff C o m m u ni ty a n d B u si n e ss N e w sr o o m A - Z I n d e x C u rr e nt S tu d e nt s F a c ul ty a n d S ta ff C o m u ni ty a n d B u si n e ss N e w sr o m A - Z I n d e x College Connection at Austin Community CollegeCollege Connection at Austin Community College A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge M id dl e Fi sk vi lle R d. A us ti n, Te xa s A C C (4 22 2) Apply Apply Schedule Register Schedule Register B la c k b o ar d L o gi nB la c k b o ar d L o gi n A C C 1 0 1A C A C C A li v e T el et o u rA C A li v e T el et o u r T O P C A TT O P C A T E n E s p a ñ olE n E s p a ñ ol C ol le g e C o n n e ct io n H o m eC ol le g e C o n e ct io n H o m e S c h o ol D is tr ic ts P ar ti ci p at in g in C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nS c h o ol D is tr ic ts P ar ti ci p at in g in C ol le g e C o n e ct io n S te p s to C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nS te p s to C ol le g e C o n e ct io n A b o ut C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nA b o ut C ol le g e C o n e ct io n W h y C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nW h y C ol le g e C o n e ct io n A C C 's R ol e in C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nA C 's R ol e in C ol le g e C o n e ct io n W h at S tu d e nt s G etW h at S tu d e nt s G et A C C D e p ar t m e nt s in v ol v e d in C ol le g e C o nnectionA C D e p ar t m e nt s in v ol v e d in C ol le g e C o n ectionCollegeConnectionIntheNewsCollegeCon ectionIntheNewsACCCentersAC entersACCWeblinksAC WeblinksMobileGoCenterMobileGoCenter Welcome to College Connection Luanne Preston, Ph.D Executive Director, Early College Start and College Connections Austin Community College 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX (512) (512) (fax) Mary Hensley, Ed.D Vice President, College Support Systems and ISD Relations Austin Community College 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX (512) (512) (fax) du For additional information about ACC's College Connection Program, please contact

Luanne Preston Austin Community College Executive Director of Early College Start and College Connection 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX (512) (512) (fax)

Mary Hensley Austin Community College District Vice President College Support Systems and ISD Relations 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX Office: (512) Fax: (512)

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