1. The Greater Houston P-16 Council Laurie Bricker, THECB Elaine Barber, GHP Charles Cook, HCC Michele Pola, A+ Challenge Laurie Bricker, THECB Elaine Barber, GHP Charles Cook, HCC Michele Pola, A+ Challenge

2. Greater Houston Partnership Mission The Greater Houston Partnership is the primary advocate of Houston’s business community and is dedicated to building regional economic prosperity.

3. Partnership Operates Four Divisions Business Development Economic Development and World Trade Public Policy a. Government Relations b. Regional Planning c. Regional Issues Member Services Support Services

4. Partnership Overview Annual Operating Budget of 7.8 Million 2,500 Member Companies 78 Full-Time Employees 60 Standing Committees The Partnership has maintained a strong level of commitment from Houston’s business leaders The Board of Directors represent a broad cross section of over 135 Business Chief Executive Officers

5. Historical Reference Advised HISD on Matters of Governance, operation and maintenance of the District (Decentralization and Bond Recommendation) Conducted Assessment of HISD’s organizational structure Policy Generation Provide a forum for dissecting complex education issues Improve dialogue between the education and business communities

6. Education and Workforce Mission: To develop initiatives that impact the quality and financing of public and higher education (P16+) to improve the Houston region’s ability to produce a work- ready labor force prepared to compete in a global economy. Committees: a. Strategic Planning/Emerging Issues/Public Policy b. Principal Quality c. Increasing Student Achievement/Texas Scholars d. Workforce Development

7. Link to P16+ Council Strategic Visioning 600,000 New Jobs by 2015 Relationship Building Policy Implications Serves as a vehicle to publicize and promote successes in education—at all levels Example: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Star Awards

8. Star Award Recipients GHP honored four local institutions and one finalist for their outstanding contributions to higher education. Houston Community College System North Harris Montgomery Community College District University of Houston Gulf Coast Consortia/Keck Center Texas Southern University (Finalist)

9. Houston A+ Challenge Focus – Quality Education For All Imperatives Reduce Isolation (Collaborate) Personalization Quality Teaching and Learning Intermediary Resources Fiscal Agent Accountability

10. Link to P16+ Council Common Focus Alignment Of Effort/Resources Closing The Gaps College-Bound Culture Impact – Convocation – Shared Learning – Networking – Resources Policy Implications

11. 1415 Louisiana, Box 9 Houston, Texas 77002 713-658-1881 www.houstonaplus.org

12. Local Participation Strategies: Houston Community College Participation in the P-16 Council Hosting of Mobile Go Center and P-16 Field Representatives Aggressive marketing of Tech-Prep and Dual Credit courses Implementation of the College Connection Program Establishment of Early College High Schools Increased resources through grant programs – Achieving the Dream, Title V, etc. Emphasis on data to improve programs and services

13. College Connection Program On-line application by students to HCC On-line application by students for federal financial aid Assessment of college-level skills Career exploration Academic advising College orientation (information on college programs and services available at HCC) College tour/visit

14. Early College High School (ECHS) Core Principles College preparation with use of the new 3Rs – rigor, relevance, relationships Small, personalized learning environments Incorporation of dual credit courses Technology as tool for design/delivery of engaging curricula Incorporation of external experiences – internships, service learning, etc.

15. What challenges remain to ensure on-going success? Curriculum alignment State inventory of dual credit courses; provision of textbooks Testing – need for greater coordination between secondary and higher education testing needs (e.g., use of the ACT model). Other details require agreement/alignment: tuition/fees, calendars, GPAs, etc. Financial aid for students if tuition/fees are not waived by colleges

16. Achieving the Dream: HCC Strategies 1.Increase Financial Aid - need for more aggressive outreach, better processes 2.Improve Results in Developmental Math – better design and delivery – better faculty training (in coordination with a Title V grant) 3.Implement Learning Communities – shown by research as most effective strategy 4.Enhance Student Tracking – identify and track benchmarks for early interventions/actions