College Connection Pflugerville Independent School District August 7, 2007

Presenters

Mary Hensley, Ed.D. Vice President, College Support Systems and ISD Relations Luanne Preston, Ph.D. Executive Director, Early College Start and College Connection Presenters

Agenda Closing the Gaps Overview College Connection Overview College Connection How It Works Program Results Program Recognition State and National Interest in Expansion Related Initiatives Questions and Answers

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Strategic Plan 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

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”

Improving High School to College Transitions Provide admission and pre-enrollment services to seniors on their high 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 2006 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006 Austin Community College District Service Area College 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: 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 * Austin3,8561,11129%73719%2,00852% Bastrop %7316%28261% Blanco763647%1317%2736% Coupland** Del Valle %5818%22972% Doss** Dripping Springs %6226%8335% Eanes %5911%21639% Elgin %2917%9556% Fredericksburg %3315%10647%

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006 Austin Community College District 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 %9819%20740% Harper462963%37%1430% Hays %9617%28651% Jarrell441432%818%2250% Johnson City %613%2351% Lago Vista %2129%2027% Lake Travis %6219%11235% Leander1, %26325%41840% Liberty Hill %2420%5042% Lockhart %3616%12155% *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:

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006 Austin Community College District 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 * Luling872428%910%5462% Manor %1612%8968% McDade** Nixon Smiley %914%4468% Pflugerville %23424%41143% Prairie Lea** Round Rock 2, %37317%1,02047% San Marcos %5613%29466% Smithville %2822%6653% Wimberley %4531%5739% Total13,0214,21632%2,45119%6,35449% *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:

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006 Austin Community College District Service Area College Transition Rates School Total High School Graduates Students Enrolled in Texas Universities Students Enrolled in Texas 2-year Colleges Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education * Connally HS %8525%15646% Hendrickson HS %5226%9648% Pflugerville %9723%15938% Pflugerville %23424%41143% *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. 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 Year 5 Austin Bastrop Blanco Del Valle Dripping Springs Eanes Elgin Fredericksburg Georgetown Harper Hays Jarrell Johnson City Lago Vista Lake Travis Leander Liberty Hill Lockhart Luling Manor Nixon-Smiley Pflugerville Prairie Lea Round Rock San Marcos Smithville Wimberley

School Districts Participating in the College Connection Program School District Number of High Schools Number of Seniors YearStarted Austin ISD 125, Bastrop ISD Blanco ISD Del Valle ISD Dripping Springs ISD Eanes ISD Elgin ISD Fredericksburg ISD Georgetown ISD Harper ISD Hays CISD Jarrell ISD Johnson City ISD Lago Vista ISD

School Districts Participating in the College Connection Program School District Number of High Schools Number of Seniors YearStarted Lake Travis ISD Leander ISD 41, Liberty Hill ISD Lockhart ISD Luling ISD Manor ISD Nixon-Smiley CISD Pflugerville ISD 41, Prairie Lea ISD Round Rock ISD 52, San Marcos CISD Smithville ISD Wimberley ISD Total (27) 5717,532

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 Goal, : Include all 27 school districts in service area

The College Connection Program Works! Blue=Year College Connection startedRed=Year after College Connection started 1-Source: 2-Source: 3-Source: ISD Students NOT located in Texas Higher Education Fall 2003 Students NOT located in Texas Higher Education Fall 2004 Students NOT located in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005 Students NOT located in Texas Higher Education Fall Increase of Students in Higher Ed Since Implementation NumberPercentNumberPercentNumberPercentNumberPercent San Marcos27366%21955%23459%29466%0 % Austin2,15556%2,06656%2,00554%2,01452%4 % Bastrop28669%23457%23954%28261%-4 % Del Valle29377%31280%23666%22971%9 % Leander44448%45948%42242%41840%8 % Hays28157%30956%29055%28651%5 % Manor5157%7457%8762%8968%-6 % Pflugerville19447%20147%20448%15646%2 %

College Connection Diversity of Participants ▫Anglo41% ▫African American11% ▫Hispanic39% ▫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

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  48 students in  293 students in

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

State and National Interest in Expansion

“Closing the Gaps” Background “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 Barron Assistant Commissioner, Community and Technical Colleges Division Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board January 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 Paredes Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board January 6, 2005

“The state must look for successful programs with statewide potential, such as ACCs College Connection program, in which seniors in participating high schools are given help with financial aid forms and required to fill out applications.” --Raymond Paredes State Higher Education Commissioner Austin American Statesman, April 16, 2006

Texas Community Colleges Implementing 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 State Interest:

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board expanding College Connection statewide RFP/Proposals, August 2007 College Connection expansion statewide, August

Florida Department of Education Launched state-wide campaign in April 2007 called “Go Higher-Get Accepted” modeled after College Connection National Interest:

Maine Interest in College 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:

Related Initiatives

External Support Funding to Expand College Connection Funding for two Mobile Go Centers

Mobile Go Center

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

Austin Community College 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

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Questions and Answers