1. Planting the Seeds for College College for Texans Campaign J.C. Thompson Elementary

2. Where do college dreams begin? Aspirations for education begin early and in the home. You are your children’s greatest advocate and role model.

3. Parenting: It’s a full-time job. Know with whom your children are spending time. Set expectations for your children. Play an active role in disciplining your children.

4. You are your children’s first teacher. How can you help them?  Talk, talk, talk.  Repeat things often.  Talk in two languages if you’re bilingual.  Tell them stories.

5. Make your home a classroom. It’s important to make your home a good place for your child to learn. Here are a few tips:  Give children a safe, enriching, and stimulating environment.  Give children a quiet place to study.  Limit time watching TV and playing video games.

6. Children need a positive attitude toward school. Show them you think learning is important. Share your dream of their going to college often.

7. Be a supporter of education. Visit the library regularly with your children. Set aside a time and place for your children to read and study. Go to school functions and volunteer in the classroom. Ask that your children be put in challenging classes.

8. “I don’t get it!” Emphasize the importance of school. Seek help from the appropriate teacher or school counselor if your children are having trouble. If your, children are bored or unchallenged in the classroom schedule a time to talk with the teacher.

9. Homework tips Help your children with homework. Praise your children for progress; display their work. Avoid making homework a punishment. Grades count, even in the beginning.

10. It’s never too early to start saving money for college! “Feed” a piggy bank regularly. “It’s a gift for the future.” Give an allowance for the future. Investigate and choose a savings plan.

11. Save for the best gift ever.  Start saving for college as early as possible.  Create an account for your children’s college funds and contribute regularly.  Lean about the Texas Tomorrow Funds, www.texastomorrowfunds.org or 1-800-445-GRAD and similar college investment or pre-paid college tuition plans.

12. Support good grades. Always review your children’s report cards and give positive feedback and encouragement. Seek help from teachers or a school counselor or find tutors if your children have difficulty with class work.

13. Does your children’s school make the grade?  Overall student performance on tests  School attendance  Dropout rates

14. Think college. Make sure your children know that you expect them to go to college. Find out if pre-college programs are available. Are college mentors available?

15. 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

16. Take a trip!  Attend a college open house.  Encourage your children to explore campus activities.  Talk to students on campus about their preparation for college.

17. We’re saving a seat for you! 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 Universities Offer 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

18. Our kids are on their way to college! For more information call the College for Texans help line at: 1-888-311-8881 toll free Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday, 7a.m. – 5 p.m. Or visit collegefortexans.com.