1. Creating a College Going Culture at any Campus ………. By Pilar Janis, Lead & Higher Education Counselor

2. At BISD Creating and fostering a college going culture from K-12 is a district initiative

3. College is defined. …….not only as 4 year universities, but as 2 year junior colleges and technical colleges.

4. Please note that………… The BISD mission statement states that we will collectively and collaboratively produce graduates who can pursue higher educational opportunities by utilizing resources that provide equitable opportunities for all.

5. First Step- Believe and Envision To believe is to be confident that something is good and will be effective. To envision is to visualize that which is possible

6. How do we create? Best college awareness practices are happening all over this district at many campuses. We are at our best when we share and emulate the good in order to provide equal access for BISD students.

7. At some elementary schools …… College pendants are visibly displayed Principals incorporate collegiate facts as part of morning announcements. Hallways have become University Boulevards with colorful displays of information from different colleges. Students in Kinder and 1 st grade discuss college mascots. Students learn about different technical career options. Classrooms and halls adopt a college. Field trips to local college are coordinated. Duke TIP program extended to 4 th & 5 th graders.

8. Vocabulary- essential component * Never too early to start ACT- college entrance test that measures English, Math, Social Studies, Science ability. Apply Texas- state application used to apply to 1 or more college with one app. Common Application- national application accepted by 300 colleges. Dual Enrollment- students receive both college and high school credit for a course. EFC- The amount of money the family is expected to contribute towards college expenses. FAFSA- (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a financial aid form. Financial Aid- money awarded to students to help pay college expenses. GO CENTERS- are at all high school campuses. Students can receive help with college, scholarship and financial aid applications. Grant- a type of financial aid that does not have to be repaid. Loan- a type of financial aid that must be repaid with interest. SAT- college entrance test that measures critical reading, math and writing ability. Scholarship- money awarded based on merit or on need that does not have to be repaid. TASFA- state financial aid form for undocumented students. TSI- (Texas Success Initiative) state test required before enrolling in any course for college credit.

9. At some middle schools……. University personnel are invited for classroom presentations. Career Days are held at various campuses. Collegiate banners displayed in halls and classrooms. Duke University TIP Program extended to qualified 7 th grade students. Field trips to universities/colleges conducted. Student reports on colleges displayed in halls and classrooms. Students practice “Apply Texas” essays Topics A,B & C. Students announce college trivia in morning announcements. Classroom activities on college readiness conducted. SAT and ACT test prep is available for Duke TIP students who will present those exams. College T-Shirt Days are part of awareness campaign.

10. Apply Texas Essay Prompts Topic A- Describe a setting in which you have interacted with people whose experiences/beliefs differ from yours. Address your feelings and how they were or were not changed by this experience. Topic B- Describe a circumstance, obstacle or conflict and the skills/resources used to resolve it. Did it change you? If so, how? Topic C- Considering your lifetime goals, discuss how your current and future academic & extracurricular activities might help you achieve your goals. * Word Limit- no more than 500 words

11. AT BISD High Schools Seniors/Juniors attend University Day and speak to 70 college reps. Counselors work with students individually on post-secondary plans. Mini College Fairs are held for all high school students. College planning sessions are held for Seniors and parents. Waivers given to students for SAT, ACT and TSI tests. Student assistance provided to complete college applications. Student assistance provided to complete the FAFSA form. University representatives visit/assist with collegiate plans. SAT and ACT Prep are offered. HB 1403 (undocumented) students are provided assistance with college processes.

12. At the District Level BISD University Day and BISD College & Financial Aid Night are sponsored by the Guidance and Counseling annually. “Writing the Perfect College Essay” is offered at different high school campuses. FAFSA Completion Nights are held at all high school campuses. The “Superintendent’s Golf Scholarship” has awarded $788,000 in scholarship dollars in the past twelve years. 2015 BISD graduates were offered over $46 million dollars in scholarship offers. 8 more than last year. Seniors/Graduating Juniors applied to colleges/universities in record numbers last year.

13. BISD Creates A College Going Culture Report – June 10, 2015 Name of High School Apply Texas %FAFSA CountsFAFSA % TASFA Counts FAFSA/ TASFA% HANNA 100% 410 83% 14 85% PORTER 100% 275 74%3985% PACE 100%26583%4296% RIVERA 100%35983%3591% LOPEZ 100%32389%2395% VETERANS 100%44890%992% BECHS 100%4798%--

14. Together at BISD we can……. make college dreams a reality for all students through collaborative efforts.

15. The Department of Guidance and Counseling 708 Palm Blvd. CAB Suite 228 Phone #: 956-548-8251 Fax #: 956-548-8448 Interim Administrator – Robert Gonzalez rgg@bisd.us rgg@bisd.us Lead & Higher Education Counselor – Pilar Janis pilarjanis@bisd.us pilarjanis@bisd.us Administrative Assistant – Dora Fernandez defernandez@bisd.us@bisd.us Secretary – Dahlia Gamez djgamez@bisd.us djgamez@bisd.us