Believe in Your Children College for Texans Campaign Presented to Watkins MS – November 6, 2008 by Brenda Gauthey, College and Career Specialist, Cypress Lakes High School Carrie Follmar, Counselor, Watkins Middle School

Preparing to Dream This event is held in partnership with the National College Access Network and Houston A+ Challenge, through funding from TG and Houston Endowment.

Where do college aspirations come from? Aspirations for education begin early and in the home. You are your child’s greatest advocate and role model.

Why should children further their education?  Greater knowledge.  Greater potential.  More and better job opportunities.  More money.  A better quality of life.

Look how far you can go!

Parents play a BIG ROLE.

 Make time to talk.  Set aside a time and place for reading and studying.  Talk often to teachers and counselors.  Set expectations: high school graduation and college.  Ensure your child is making good grades.

Parents play a BIG ROLE.  Review report cards and give positive feedback.  Find a tutor if your teen is having difficulty with a class.  Tie it all together! Show you care about your child’s future.

Report cards: grades and a whole lot more  Class grades  Class attendance  School conduct  Scores on TAKS tests  PIV

Preparation for higher education There are two high school graduation plans that prepare students for college.  Recommended High School Program (RHSP)  A 24-credit, college-preparatory curriculum that helps ensure that all Texas high school students take advanced mathematics and science courses  The Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP)  The state’s advanced high school graduation plan

Get started now! Courses that count:  Language other than English  Speech  Algebra I  IPC  AAS

Having fun can count, too! Extracurricular activities are ways for students to learn outside the classroom. Students can also:  Mentor a younger student.  Engage in community service.  Begin exploring possible careers and majors for the future.

TypeDescriptionExamples Public Two-year Colleges Technical colleges, state colleges and community colleges that offer educational and training programs leading to a certificate or a two-year associate’s degree. El Paso Community College Lamar State College-Orange Texas State Technical College-Waco Public UniversitiesOffer educational programs that lead to a four-year bachelor’s degree. Many offer graduate degrees (master’s or doctoral) requiring more years of study. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi University of Texas at Austin Prairie View A&M University Independent (Private) Institutions Some offer two-year programs, while senior-level independents offer four-year bachelor’s degrees and graduate or professional degrees. Jackson College Rice University Health-Related Institutions Offer bachelor’s, master’s doctoral, and professional degrees (such as medical degrees) in health-related professions. Texas Tech Health Sciences Center University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio What colleges and universities are available in Texas?

Who goes to college? More than a million people from different backgrounds are enrolled in Texas colleges.

“When you go to college…” Even if you haven’t been to college yourself, you can still help your child prepare ! Your encouragement and expectations are key to your teen’s desire and drive to prepare for college.

Help is available. Arrange to meet with your child’s teachers and counselors. Talk to admission personnel at colleges. Go to collegefortexans.com. Call free of charge and speak with a College for Texans representative  Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.  Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Help is available. Cypress Lakes High School College and Career Center Brenda Gauthey, Specialist 281 – 856 – 3837 College and Career Readiness Cypress Fairbanks ISD Dr. Marie Keith, Director 281 – 517 – 2640