1. Accelerated Action Plan THECB 9/2009

2. What was the process? Staff from across the agency: Studied activities and literature on successful practices Reviewed current activities that are the most promising practices Focused on areas where higher education has the most potential for impact, once students are enrolled THECB 9/2009

3. Why focus on individual targets? Halfway to the 2015 end of Closing the Gaps Some of the targets are well below the needed achievement level Need to focus on those targets where we can make the biggest difference THECB 9/2009

4. Which targets need focus? Hispanic Participation and Success Critical Fields  Nursing  STEM  Teachers Research THECB 9/2009

5. What will be presented today? Actions that will make a difference across all sectors and fields  Short-term  Long-term Characteristics of programs that should be implemented at all institutions Examples of programs that can/have made a difference THECB 9/2009

6. Overarching Principles Focus on what student’s need to succeed Re-structure formula funding to focus on success Strategically target financial aid Base decisions on high-quality data Market the value of higher education THECB 9/2009 Academic Preparedness – Many Hispanic students are academically under-prepared for college-level work. Supporting the Career and College Readiness Standards, pathways programs, successful bridge programs, and strong deved programs can improve Hispanic student readiness and success First year programs – we lose a lot of students when they transition to a new institution. Intensive programs that reach traditional and non-traditional freshmen and transfer students upon entry are critical. For example: orientation, success courses, learning communities, etc. Early alert systems identify students at risk for failing or dropping out and provide timely support. Good advising is critical for these and all students. Faculty play a role in student success both in and outside of the classroom. Work study increases persistence for the students who participate so involving work study students in persistence activities is a win/win situation when it comes to persistence.

7. Overarching Actions Involve and connect with students before and as soon as they matriculate Engage students in active learning Provide “wrap around” academic and personal student support programs Streamline processes THECB 9/2009

8. Overarching Actions (cont.) Prioritize teaching and learning Design flexible and innovative programs for non-traditional students Target veterans and individuals making career transitions who have skills and experience in critical fields Use technology to inform and serve students and innovate course delivery THECB 9/2009

9. Target: Hispanic Participation and Success Academic readiness Intensive program for entering students  First-time in college (from HS and Other)  Transfer students Early alert systems and effective advising Faculty members and work-study students as mentors and tutors Wrap-around student support systems THECB 9/2009

10. Target: STEM Awards Inducement to both students (financial aid) and institutions (incentive funding) to encourage award increases Develop and streamline processes for student clarity Foster collaborations with industry and other partners THECB 9/2009

11. Target: Nursing Awards Provide a continuum of financial aid for two- year students Establish more accelerated programs and second degree programs for preparing initial RN nurses and nursing faculty Expand the testing of baccalaureate-prepared nurses as clinical instructors. THECB 9/2009

12. Target: Certified Teachers Inducement to both students (financial aid) and institutions (incentive funding) to encourage award increases Develop consumer-friendly information for potential teachers Foster increased collaborations with industry partners THECB 9/2009

13. Target: Research H.B. 51 Texas Research Incentive Program Requirement that all research and emerging research submit a strategic plan on how to get additional research funding THECB 9/2009

14. Most Important Principles Focus on Success Put Students’ Needs First Fund Financial Aid THECB 9/2009

15. Re-structure formula funding to reward progress toward CTG goals Recommend funding course completions, not enrollments Focus incentive funding on at-risk student and critical field completions Expand special funding for important state targets: such as Nursing Shortage Reduction Program THECB 9/2009

16. Target financial aid strategically Improve the speed, accuracy, and predictability of financial aid Align state and institutional financial aid packages to increase success in critical Increase grants to students as progress toward graduation, not the reverse THECB 9/2009

17. Base decisions on high-quality, focused data Use data to evaluate program results Reexamine CTG targets for nursing, STEM and teachers to verify that they remain valid Align institutional targets with statewide targets THECB 9/2009

18. Marketing, Information, and Collaborating on higher education Ease access to information, application to, and progress through the higher education system Collaborate with industry, P-16 Councils, state and national organizations to improve and enhance higher ed Target individuals making career transitions, including veterans, who have the skills and experience THECB 9/2009