1. P-16 Regional Councils Fad or Future?? October 19, 2007 Marina Ballantyne Walne

2. Table of Contents  Introduction of the Institute for Public School Initiatives at UT System  Why a P-16 Council?  A Tale of Two Cities: Austin and Houston  Principles, Pitfalls, Challenges, Questions

3. IPSI Mission and Goals Mission To improve the quality of academic outcomes for public education in Texas by building awareness of the need to better align P-12 and higher education and developing innovative approaches and tools for students, teachers, and administrators to improve college readiness, access and success. Key Goal To increase student college participation and success rates. Objective 25% more college graduates in 5 years.

4. IPSI Initiatives Five Key Areas for Initiatives  Academic Foundation Initiatives  College Readiness Initiatives  College Access Initiatives  Educator Quality Initiatives  Policy and Communication

5. IPSI Highlights  Reading First – impacting 198 school districts, 706 schools and 385,000 students in grades K-3 per year  University of Texas Elementary School – P-5 university sponsored charter school  TRACK – TAKS readiness tool impacting 70,000 high school students per year  Five Early College High Schools in partnership with U. T. S. A., U. T. Pan Am, and Texas High School Project

6. IPSI Highlights  Texas College Money – on-line financial aid calculator  Replication of UTeach from UT Austin  Technical Assistance for the State DATE and TEEG programs (teacher incentive funds)  $25 million Teacher Incentive Fund grant to expand the Teacher Advancement Program in 27 schools

7. Why a P-16 Council?  Because Commissioner Raymond Paredes said so………

8. Really — Why a P-16 Council?  Regions of the Great State of Texas have very different needs.  It makes sense for districts, postsecondary institutions, and community organizations to collaborate on closing the gaps in your area.  Resources are scarce – they should be aligned and duplication should be reduced.

9. Focus of Most P-16 Councils? Achieving the Goal set by the THECB of Closing the Gaps, by 2015

10. Closing the Gaps  Participation: By 2015, close the gaps in enrollment rates across Texas to add 630,000 more students  Success: By 2015, award 210,000 undergraduate degrees, certificates and other identifiable student successes from high quality programs.

11. Goal: By 2015, close the gaps in enrollment rates across Texas and add 630,000 more students. Overall participation – On target but slowing

12. Participation Target: Increase Hispanic participation rate from 3.7 percent in 2000 to 4.8 percent by 2010 and to 5.7 percent by 2015. Hispanic Target Remains A Challenge

13. Large increases in the percent of entering students with the recommended curriculum 55%53% 65% 73% 78% 53% 84%

14. State Focus on P-16 Issues  Recommended HS program required for entrance to a public university for 2011 entering class  Development of college readiness standards  Vertical alignment of curriculum P-16  Establishment of Math, Science, and Technology Teacher Preparation Academies

15. A Tale of Two Cities It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us……….

16. A Tale of Two Cities  E 3 Alliance — Education Equals Economics Central Texas P-16 Council  P-16 + Greater Houston Area Council

17. Austin: E 3 Alliance A catalyst for change in Central Texas and in regions across the state Building a research-based regional blueprint to align our education systems to better fulfill the potential of every citizen and in turn, increase economic outcomes.

18. E3: Apply a Regional Model

19. History  Born out of community leaders discussion at AARO – not designed as a P-16 Council  Birth to Economic Prosperity  Built around other successful regional approaches to complex infrastructure issues  Leverage “lessons learned” and models from other regions around U.S.  Housed at Austin Community College  Formally launched May 1, 2006

20. MLR Leading Partner Earl Maxwell MLR Leading Partner Earl Maxwell ACC President Stephen Kinslow ACC President Stephen Kinslow Region XIII ESC Executive Director Pat Pringle Region XIII ESC Executive Director Pat Pringle United Way President & CPO David Balch United Way President & CPO David Balch CommuniCard CEO Sylvia Acevedo CommuniCard CEO Sylvia Acevedo Winstead PC Founding Partner Pete Winstead Winstead PC Founding Partner Pete Winstead UT Austin Vice President Gregory Vincent UT Austin Vice President Gregory Vincent RRISD Superintendent Jesus Chavez RRISD Superintendent Jesus Chavez UT System- IPSI Executive Director Marine Walne UT System- IPSI Executive Director Marine Walne AARO Higher Ed Chair Ed Sharpe AARO Higher Ed Chair Ed Sharpe TX State Univ. President Denise Trauth TX State Univ. President Denise Trauth Governance Structure 7 Colleges: UT Texas State ACC Concordia Huston-Tillotson St. Edward’s Southwestern Business Leaders: AARO 7 Districts: Austin Bastrop Del Valle Eanes Manor (Pflugerville) Round Rock San Marcos

21. Operating Procedures  Staff of four plus 3 PT GRA’s  Outsourced research efforts  Bi-monthly board meetings  Quarterly meetings with Sup’s  Semi-annual meetings with College Presidents  Bi-monthly reviews with AARO leaders  Ad hoc: accountability, institutional effectiveness, C&I, teacher focus groups, etc.  Regular meetings with local (Bastrop, San Marcos) P-16 partnerships

22. Model for Change 2015 More reach their potentialMore reach their potential Higher wage earnersHigher wage earners Stronger economyStronger economy Blueprint for Change (2008) Track 2: Community Engagement Track 1: Data Evaluation & Research Track 3: Systemic Alignment

23. Data Evaluation and Research Track Decision Framework Longitudinal Statistical Research Longitudinal Statistical Research National Research Review National Research Review Regional Experience Regional Experience Phase 1:Phase 2: Phase 3+: Bid out and complete Educ. Systems Map Develop Blueprint for Change Develop Performance Framework Target District Data Scan National Research Review CT Education Snapshot V2 Initial Data Analysis Planning for Long. Research Define Methodology & Data CT Education Snapshot V1 Target District Interviews White Papers: College Readiness Developmental Ed. Barriers to Evaluation Performance Framework

24. 8 th Grade TAKS SSI – Big Gaps TAKS ReadingTAKS Math Percent Passing Source: TEA Division of Performance Reporting, Ad-hoc Report While there is improvement overall, the gaps remain unchanged. Copyright ©. Texas Education Agency. All Rights Reserved

25. Source: TEA, AEIS Reports 2005-06 Gaps Vary Even in Districts with Common Demographics AG-5 Note: Gaps based on difference between White student performance and un- weighted average of Black and Hispanic student performance Copyright ©. Texas Education Agency. All Rights Reserved

26. Community Engagement Track Breadth of Exposure Depth of Understanding Piercing the Cultural Bubble 1:1, Group Outreach Media Campaigns Blogs, Newsletters

27.  Texas Forums – Trained moderators and deliberations process  Austin Voices for Education & Youth – grass roots outreach  United Way – part of Community Impact outreach; initial funder  6 Communities centered around target school districts  E 3 Alliance – Objective local data set, context for overall community engagement process Partners

28. Deliberative Dialogues Rollout May November 15 Oct June-Sept LBJ Library

30.  Collateral Developed with Web Site(s)  Customized Central Texas Discussion Guide  Guide and all Collateral in English and Spanish  Moderator Training 9/15-10/8  Dialogues 10/2-11/10 in 6 communities  Regional Delegates Forum 11/15  Thought Leader Summit 1/23

31. Pierce the Cultural Bubble: wherever people work, play, pray, shop, receive services or commute, they will receive the same message: Education is the key to economic prosperity.  Three consistent messages: 1.Graduate high school = +$1M in your lifetime 2.Graduate college = +$2M in your lifetime 3.Speak two languages = more opportunity, better job, higher pay Communication Message

32. Project One: Nursing Articulation  Partnership with WorkSource (local WorkForce Board), regional hospital systems, ACC, 3 Universities  Expand, optimize articulated nursing pipeline – H.S. – ADN – BSN – MSN  Innovative models for addressing bottlenecks  Use as model for other key industry needs areas

33. Timeline: Putting it All Together Q4 ‘07Q2 ‘08Q1 ‘08 Achievement Gaps Regional Delegates Planning Forum Nov 15 2007 GAC State of Education Event Nov 27 2008 Thought Leaders Plenary Summit Jan 24 2008 Blueprint for Change Rollout Apr 15 2008? Deliberative Dialogues ~Oct CT Education Profile Dec 15 Develop Blueprint for Change Q1 Education Systems Map

34.  Original White Paper  Research Methodology  Central Texas Education Snapshot v1, v1.1  Snapshot versions for 7 districts, ACC  College Readiness Snapshot  Central Texas Nursing Overview  Press Kit  Attribute Profile of an Effective Central Texas School Board Trustee (pamphlet)  Barriers to Effective Evaluation (white paper)  College Readiness Considerations (policy paper)  Developmental Education (white paper)  System Map of Education Evaluators Significant Deliverables

35. P-16 + Greater Houston Council

36. Greater Houston P-16+ Council Gulf Coast

37. History  Launched at request of Commissioner of Higher Education in 2005  Year One: 2005-06. Invitations and basic input  Year Two: 2006-07. Develop and adopt by-laws, elect leadership, form committees, set priorities, secure funding

38. Mission To promote student success across the continuum – pre-Kindergarten through College and Workforce Development – for all children and young adults in the Gulf Coast area To serve as a model for the state of Texas through the broadest collaboration

39.  become a recognized convening collaboration of diverse stakeholders Key Goals  promote college-going mindset  catalyze policy development  support overarching campaign of THECB, Closing the Gaps  advance alignment of educational and training experiences through inventorying needs, opportunities and replicable models

40. Current membership = 54 Membership COMPOSITION Community & Business: 15 Elementary & Secondary Schools: 14 Four-Year College/University: 9 Community College: 7 Pre-Schools: 6 Foundations: 2 Texas Higher Ed Coordinating Board: 1

41. P-16 + Greater Houston Council Current Leadership Janelle James, Chair, Program Committee Chief Academic and Operating Officer Southwest Schools/Young Learners School Bonnie Longnion, Council Secretary President, Humble ISD Board of Trustees Associate Vice Chancellor, North Harris Montgomery Community College District Bob Wimpelberg, Council Chair Dean, College of Education, University of Houston

42. P-16 + Greater Houston Council Current Leadership Tracy Baskin, Treasurer Executive Director Mayor’s READ Commission Elaine Barber, Lead Business Member Senior Vice President for Regional Issues Greater Houston Partnership Rebecca Florez, Chair, Policy Committee Director of Government Relations Houston Independent School District Laurie Bricker, Convener and Member Member, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

43. Operating Structure  Utilize services of THECB Regional Rep  No full-time staff  Shared distribution of duties among leadership team  Executive Board -- Chair, 2 Vice Chairs, Secretary, Treasurer  Standing Committees and ad hoc committees  Quarterly meetings

44. The “Engagement Ingredients” for a College-Going Culture Students & Families State Support Educational Partnerships Community Involvement

45. Strategies 1. Educational Partnerships. Create or strengthen existing partnerships between local school districts and institutions of higher education. 2. Community Involvement. Create, develop, and sustain a strong commitment to a college-going culture within local communities. 3. Statewide Initiatives. Build strong relationships among state agencies and statewide organizations in order to create support for the mission.

46. Critical Gap Critical Gap Critical Gap Critical Gap Completion Point Completion Point High 9-12 Lower Division Upper Division Completion Point (7 th –10 th Grade Dropout) (High School to College) (First Year Retention) (Transfer from 2- year to 4-year) Critical Gap Critical Gap Birth to PK Elementary PK-5 Middle 6-8 Critical Gaps in the Participation/Success Pipeline

47. Approached on two axes First Steps in a Work Plan The Gaps Themes

48. -Gap 2: Middle School to High School - Gap 1: High School to Community College and Four-Year Institutions -Theme 1: Parent Education and Support 3 work groups 2 gaps, one theme First Steps in a Work Plan

49. Significant Deliverables  $1 million grant from local funder for college counselor in 6 local high schools  Education Symposium in partnership with American Leadership Forum in Houston  PK initiative in development

50. Principles for Success  Identify an appropriate region to serve – not too big, not too small  Create a structure and an approach that makes sense for your region  Get key leadership at the table from the beginning  Need strong drivers to start organization  Representatives of P-16 Continuum  Business must be significantly involved

51. Principles for Success  Focused Projects; Produce Results  Have small “wins” early  Use research and data to drive decisions  Create a good governance structure that can be sustained as people change positions  Secure funding to hire people to work on this part-time or full-time  Create a 3-year business plan

52. Pitfalls: Lessons Learned  Don’t ally with any single political leader  Don’t base around a single college/university  Avoid turf battles -- keep egos in check  Don’t reinvent the wheel – learn from others  Change requires objective information AND community will

53. Challenges  Determining your community resources  Community and political leaders, businesses, parents, school personnel and administrators, faculty  Finding financial support  Building on existing efforts  Many fragmented efforts throughout the entire P-16 system  Identifying programs that work

54. Questions  How will your group manage broad representation and maintain focused, action-oriented work?  Does your current voluntary membership reflect all of the community sectors who have a stake?  Is your representation balanced?  Do you have strong leaders who can make things happen?  Do you have sufficient funding/resources ?

55. P-16: Fad or Future? It depends on you and how well you work together in partnership! The El Paso Collaborative has been in existence for 16 years. How long will your P-16 Groups last?