1. College Connection Pflugerville Independent School District August 7, 2007

2. Presenters

3. Mary Hensley, Ed.D. Vice President, College Support Systems and ISD Relations mhensley@austincc.edu 512-223-7618 mhensley@austincc.edu Luanne Preston, Ph.D. Executive Director, Early College Start and College Connection luanne@austincc.edu 512-223-7354 luanne@austincc.edu Presenters

4. Agenda Closing the Gaps Overview College Connection Overview College Connection How It Works Program Results Program Recognition State and National Interest in Expansion Related Initiatives Questions and Answers

5. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Strategic Plan Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Strategic Plan “Closing the Gaps” Overview

6. Closing the Gaps in Participation Closing the Gaps warns that if more Texans do not receive college degrees by 2030, the State could lose up to $40 billion in annual household income. The goal is to increase student enrollment in higher education by 630,000 by 2015. Most students will elect to start at a community college. Austin Community College District expects 15,000 more students by 2015.

7. College Connection Overview

8. Education Beyond High School Increases earning potential and employment opportunities U.S. Department of Education

9. Learn to Earn Source: Postsecondary Education OPPORTUNITY

10. Excuses For Not Continuing Your Education No one in my family has ever gone to college. I’ve been in school for 12 years. That’s enough! I just want a good job. I can’t afford it. I don’t know what I want to do with my life. I won’t fit in. College is too hard. I don’t know how to apply or where I want to go. Source: Adapted from The College Board’s “Seven Excuses Not to Go to College and Why They’re Lame”

11. Improving High School to College Transitions Provide admission and pre-enrollment services to seniors on their high school campuses Create an expectation that “College is in everyone’s future.” Increase percentage of high school seniors who enter college after high school graduation.

12. Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006 Austin Community College District Service Area College Transition Rates *Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the year immediately following graduation, as well as students who were enrolled out-of-state. **Districts with less than 25 graduates are not included in this report. Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF School District Total High School Graduates Students Enrolled in Texas Universities Students Enrolled in Texas 2-year Colleges Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education * Austin3,8561,11129%73719%2,00852% Bastrop46010523%7316%28261% Blanco763647%1317%2736% Coupland** Del Valle 3193210%5818%22972% Doss** Dripping Springs 2409540%6226%8335% Eanes55528050%5911%21639% Elgin1694527%2917%9556% Fredericksburg2278839%3315%10647%

13. Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006 Austin Community College District Service Area College Transition Rates School District Total High School Graduates Students Enrolled in Texas Universities Students Enrolled in Texas 2-year Colleges Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education * Georgetown51921441%9819%20740% Harper462963%37%1430% Hays55917732%9617%28651% Jarrell441432%818%2250% Johnson City 451636%613%2351% Lago Vista 733244%2129%2027% Lake Travis 31814445%6219%11235% Leander1,05237135%26325%41840% Liberty Hill 1204638%2420%5042% Lockhart2196228%3616%12155% *Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the year immediately following graduation, as well as students who were enrolled out-of-state. **Districts with less than 25 graduates are not included in this report. Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF

14. Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006 Austin Community College District Service Area College Transition Rates School District Total High School Graduates Students Enrolled in Texas Universities Students Enrolled in Texas 2-year Colleges Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education * Luling872428%910%5462% Manor1312620%1612%8968% McDade** Nixon Smiley 651218%914%4468% Pflugerville96431933%23424%41143% Prairie Lea** Round Rock 2,15876535%37317%1,02047% San Marcos 4489822%5613%29466% Smithville1253125%2822%6653% Wimberley1464430%4531%5739% Total13,0214,21632%2,45119%6,35449% *Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the year immediately following graduation, as well as students who were enrolled out-of-state. **Districts with less than 25 graduates are not included in this report. Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF

15. Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006 Austin Community College District Service Area College Transition Rates School Total High School Graduates Students Enrolled in Texas Universities Students Enrolled in Texas 2-year Colleges Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education * Connally HS 34210130%8525%15646% Hendrickson HS 2025427%5226%9648% Pflugerville42016439%9723%15938% Pflugerville96431933%23424%41143% *Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the year immediately following graduation, as well as students who were enrolled out-of-state. Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF

16. College Connection How It Works

17. College Connection Program Many high school students find the college enrollment process intimidating. Austin Community College District provides hands- on, one-on-one support to assist every student through each step of the college admissions process. During graduation ceremonies, high school graduating seniors receive acceptance letters to Austin Community College District.

18. Students Receive Services at the High School: Required Admission application ASSET or COMPASS Pre-advising Academic advising Graduation letter Optional Student life info Teleconference Campus tours Registration Other Recommended Senior presentation Financial aid application

19. College Connection Activity Grid Sample ActivityDateTimeLocation Equipment CommunicationSan Marcos HS Contact (*Lead Contact) firstname.lastname@sm cisd.net ACC District Contact (*Lead Contact) name@austincc.edu Signature Letter of Release August 30, 2006 Template letterLetters to parents contest *Cecily Moore cecily.moore *Luanne Preston luanne Senior AssemblySeptember 8, 2006 9:45-11:15 a.m. SMHS Auditorium and Library Notice in parent newsletter Notice on high school website *Chad Kelly chad.kelly *K. Leigh Forell khammfor Admissions Application Make-Up Day October 3, 2006 October 6, 2006 8:20 a.m. – 3:55 p.m. Library computer labs/ English classes Non-citizen students must obtain alternate ID before completeing application *Mary Williams mary.williams *Linda Kluck lkluck ASSET Assessment (paper and pencil) February 6 & 8, 2007 8:20 a.m. – 3:55 p.m. Room A123; Library Schedule to parents & on web site *Mary Williams mary.williams *Holly Delacroix hdelacro Financial AidApril 12, 2007 8:20 a.m. – 3:55 p.m. LibraryInformation sheet disseminated to students @ school & via web site *Cecily Moore cecily.moore *Gail Braswell gbraswell District Lead:Sylvia Garza, 512-393-6742, sylvia.garza@smcisd.net San Marcos HS Lead:Chad Kelly, 512-393-6800, chad.kelly@smcisd.net Admin. Assistant: Lisa Jordan, 512-393-6805, lisa.jordan@smcisd.net ACC Lead:Mary Hensley, 223-7618, mhensley@austincc.edu/Luanne Preston, 223-7355, luanne@austincc.edu Exec. Assistant: Esther Buzard, 223-7618, ebuzard@austincc.edu College Connection Lead:Luanne Preston, 223-7354, luanne@austincc.edu Admin. Assistant: Laurie Clark, 223-7354, lclark2@austincc.edu Senior Count:424 (SMHS) SHADE/BOLD – Required College Connection Activities

20. Lifetime Acceptance Application never discarded Provide a permanent college home Students come to ACC District ▫In summer for transfer ▫After military service ▫After career changes ▫Co-enroll while attending 4-year institution Cohorts can be tracked by semester of entry; ACC District collects longitudinal data for retention, completion and success

21. Program Results

22. Connection School Districts College Connection School Districts 2003-04 Year 1 San Marcos 2004-05 Year 2 Austin Bastrop Del Valle Leander San Marcos 2005-06 Year 3 Austin Bastrop Del Valle Hays Leander Manor Pflugerville San Marcos 2006-07 Year 4 Austin Bastrop Blanco Del Valle Elgin Fredericksburg Harper Hays Jarrell Johnson City Lago Vista Leander Liberty Hill Lockhart Luling Manor Nixon-Smiley Pflugerville Prairie Lea Round Rock San Marcos Smithville 2007-08 Year 5 Austin Bastrop Blanco Del Valle Dripping Springs Eanes Elgin Fredericksburg Georgetown Harper Hays Jarrell Johnson City Lago Vista Lake Travis Leander Liberty Hill Lockhart Luling Manor Nixon-Smiley Pflugerville Prairie Lea Round Rock San Marcos Smithville Wimberley

23. School Districts Participating in the College Connection Program 2007-2008 School District Number of High Schools Number of Seniors YearStarted Austin ISD 125,1892004 Bastrop ISD 16092004 Blanco ISD 1722006 Del Valle ISD 25442004 Dripping Springs ISD 12652007 Eanes ISD 16502007 Elgin ISD 22642006 Fredericksburg ISD 12472006 Georgetown ISD 27912007 Harper ISD 1622006 Hays CISD 37232005 Jarrell ISD 1482006 Johnson City ISD 1522006 Lago Vista ISD 1892006

24. School Districts Participating in the College Connection Program 2007-2008 School District Number of High Schools Number of Seniors YearStarted Lake Travis ISD 24152007 Leander ISD 41,5182004 Liberty Hill ISD 11802006 Lockhart ISD 23872006 Luling ISD 11312006 Manor ISD 22552005 Nixon-Smiley CISD 1572006 Pflugerville ISD 41,3852005 Prairie Lea ISD 1172006 Round Rock ISD 52,7902006 San Marcos CISD 24832003 Smithville ISD 11402006 Wimberley ISD 11692007 Total (27) 5717,532

25. College Connection Program Growth Over 3 years: 1 school district to 22 school districts 2 high schools to 48 high schools 400 students to 12,000+ students ACC Goal, 2007-08: Include all 27 school districts in service area

26. The College Connection Program Works! Blue=Year College Connection startedRed=Year after College Connection started 1-Source: http://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports/PDF/0961.pdfhttp://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports/PDF/0961.pdf 2-Source: http://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports/PDF/0963.pdfhttp://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports/PDF/0963.pdf 3-Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDFhttp://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF ISD Students NOT located in Texas Higher Education Fall 2003 Students NOT located in Texas Higher Education Fall 2004 Students NOT located in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005 Students NOT located in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006 2006 Increase of Students in Higher Ed Since Implementation NumberPercentNumberPercentNumberPercentNumberPercent San Marcos27366%21955%23459%29466%0 % Austin2,15556%2,06656%2,00554%2,01452%4 % Bastrop28669%23457%23954%28261%-4 % Del Valle29377%31280%23666%22971%9 % Leander44448%45948%42242%41840%8 % Hays28157%30956%29055%28651%5 % Manor5157%7457%8762%8968%-6 % Pflugerville19447%20147%20448%15646%2 %

27. College Connection Diversity of Participants ▫Anglo41% ▫African American11% ▫Hispanic39% ▫Asian 4% ▫Other 5%

28. More than 55% of College Connection enrollees are minorities Higher percentage entering ACC District through College Connection than in the general ACC District student population Traditionally Underrepresented in Higher Education - Students Enroll at ACC District

29. College Connection Results for ACC District, 2004-2006 Positive effect on fall enrollments ▫Immediate great results: 37.6% increase first year ▫59% increase over two years Positive effect on Early College Start enrollments ▫25.6% increase in enrollment from ‘04 to ’05 ▫45% increase in enrollment from ’04 to ’06 Positive effect on Tech Prep enrollments ▫714% increase in number of students receiving Tech Prep credit  36 students in 2003-04  48 students in 2004-05  293 students in 2005-06

30. Program Recognition

31. College Connection Program National Acclaim & Recognition

32. Awards Received THECB Star Award Award Recipient November 2006 Excelencia in Education Award Semi-Finalist October 2006 Bellwether Award Award Recipient January 2007

33. State and National Interest in Expansion

34. “Closing the Gaps” Background “The community college’s role in the goal of participation is absolutely vital. We talk about students who come directly from high school into higher education, and while the numbers are going up, we are not attracting a significant increase in the pool. That’s one of the areas that we’re going to have to spend some real effort – in encouraging students who complete high school to continue on with higher education and the Connections Program that has been talked about already today is absolutely the way that it needs to happen all across the state to change.” Dr. Glenda Barron Assistant Commissioner, Community and Technical Colleges Division Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board January 7, 2005

35. “Attaining advanced levels of education for disadvantaged students cannot be done without developing a college-going culture in every middle school and high school in the state of Texas...then suddenly, (going to college) changes from being a possibility to an expectation.” --Raymund Paredes Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board January 6, 2005

36. “The state must look for successful programs with statewide potential, such as ACCs College Connection program, in which seniors in participating high schools are given help with financial aid forms and required to fill out applications.” --Raymond Paredes State Higher Education Commissioner Austin American Statesman, April 16, 2006

37. Texas Community Colleges Implementing College Connection Program Alamo Community College District Coastal Bend Community College Del Mar Community College Houston Community College District Temple Community College Victoria Community College State Interest:

38. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board expanding College Connection statewide RFP/Proposals, August 2007 College Connection expansion statewide, August 2007-09

39. Florida Department of Education Launched state-wide campaign in April 2007 called “Go Higher-Get Accepted” modeled after College Connection National Interest:

40. Maine Interest in College Connection Proposed law requiring graduating high school seniors to complete at least one college application before getting diploma. Support from “Compact for Higher Education” National Interest:

41. Related Initiatives

42. External Support Funding to Expand College Connection Funding for two Mobile Go Centers

43. Mobile Go Center

44. Related Initiatives Mini-College Connection for Adult Education College Connection Scholarships

45. Austin Community College College Connection Website Access to scheduled activities for students, parents, and school officials Calendars Links to pertinent ACC school district sites www.austincc.edu/isd

46. Directory Educational Choices Educational Choices Costs & Financial Aid Student Support Library Locations Get Answers Costs & Financial Aid Student Support Library Locations Get Answers A C H o m eA C C H o m e » C ol le ge C on ne cti on at A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge College Connection receives state and national recognition and awards: T e x a s H ig h e r E d u c a ti o n C o o r d i n a ti n g B o a r d 's S T A R A w a r d C o m m u n it y C ol le g e F u t u r e s A ss e m b ly B el l w et h e r A w a r d F i n al is t E x c el e n ci a i n E d u c a ti o n S e m if i n al is t Graduating seniors in Austin, Bastrop, Blanco, Del Valle, Elgin, Fredericksburg, Harper, Hays, Jarrell, Johnson City, Lago Vista, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lockhart, Luling, Manor, Nixon-Smiley, Pflugerville, Prairie Lea, Round Rock, San Marcos, and Smithville ISDs will now receive two sources of recognition when they walk across the stage to graduate: a diploma and an acceptance letter to college. This is due to a new, nationally recognized program called College Connection. Through the College Connection program, ACC will provide hands-on, one-on-one support to assist every student through each step of the college admissions process. College Connection will help increase the number of graduating seniors who enter college by creating an awareness of the benefits of going to college. Bringing this unique partnership to the community is an important step toward student success. By working together to “close the gap,” we can help improve the quality of life in Central Texas…one student at a time. "Suddenly, (going to college) changes from being a possibility to an expectation." -Raymund Paredes, Texas Higher Education Commissioner W eb m as te rW eb m as te r Di re ct or y C op yr ig ht L eg al N ot ic es A bo ut A C C C on ta ct A C C A C C H o m e L as t m od ifi ed : D ec e m be r 14 20 06 @ 3: 22 p m | A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge Di str ict A us ti n, T X Di re ct or y C op yr ig ht L eg al N ot ic es A bo ut A C on ta ct A C A C H o m e F ut u re S tu d e nt s F ut u re S tu d e nt s C u rr e nt S tu d e nt s F a c ul ty a n d S ta ff C o m m u ni ty a n d B u si n e ss N e w sr o o m A - Z I n d e x C u rr e nt S tu d e nt s F a c ul ty a n d S ta ff C o m u ni ty a n d B u si n e ss N e w sr o m A - Z I n d e x College Connection at Austin Community CollegeCollege Connection at Austin Community College A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge 59 30 M id dl e Fi sk vi lle R d. A us ti n, Te xa s 78 75 2- 43 90 51 2. 22 3. 4 A C C (4 22 2) Apply Apply Schedule Register Schedule Register B la c k b o ar d L o gi nB la c k b o ar d L o gi n A C C 1 0 1A C 1 0 1 A C C A li v e T el et o u rA C A li v e T el et o u r T O P C A TT O P C A T E n E s p a ñ olE n E s p a ñ ol C ol le g e C o n n e ct io n H o m eC ol le g e C o n e ct io n H o m e S c h o ol D is tr ic ts P ar ti ci p at in g in C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nS c h o ol D is tr ic ts P ar ti ci p at in g in C ol le g e C o n e ct io n S te p s to C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nS te p s to C ol le g e C o n e ct io n A b o ut C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nA b o ut C ol le g e C o n e ct io n W h y C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nW h y C ol le g e C o n e ct io n A C C 's R ol e in C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nA C 's R ol e in C ol le g e C o n e ct io n W h at S tu d e nt s G etW h at S tu d e nt s G et A C C D e p ar t m e nt s in v ol v e d in C ol le g e C o nnectionA C D e p ar t m e nt s in v ol v e d in C ol le g e C o n ectionCollegeConnectionIntheNewsCollegeCon ectionIntheNewsACCCentersAC entersACCWeblinksAC WeblinksMobileGoCenterMobileGoCenter Welcome to College Connection Luanne Preston, Ph.D Executive Director, Early College Start and College Connections Austin Community College 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX 78752 (512) 223-7354 (512) 223-7895 (fax) luanne@austincc.edu Mary Hensley, Ed.D Vice President, College Support Systems and ISD Relations Austin Community College 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX 78752 (512) 223-7618 (512) 223-7895 (fax) mhensley@austincc.e du For additional information about ACC's College Connection Program, please contact Directory Educational Choices Educational Choices Costs & Financial Aid Student Support Library Locations Get Answers Costs & Financial Aid Student Support Library Locations Get Answers A C H o m eA C C H o m e » C ol le ge C on ne cti on at A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge College Connection receives state and national recognition and awards: T e x a s H ig h e r E d u c a ti o n C o o r d i n a ti n g B o a r d 's S T A R A w a r d C o m m u n it y C ol le g e F u t u r e s A ss e m b ly B el l w et h e r A w a r d F i n al is t E x c el e n ci a i n E d u c a ti o n S e m if i n al is t Graduating seniors in Austin, Bastrop, Blanco, Del Valle, Elgin, Fredericksburg, Harper, Hays, Jarrell, Johnson City, Lago Vista, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lockhart, Luling, Manor, Nixon-Smiley, Pflugerville, Prairie Lea, Round Rock, San Marcos, and Smithville ISDs will now receive two sources of recognition when they walk across the stage to graduate: a diploma and an acceptance letter to college. This is due to a new, nationally recognized program called College Connection. Through the College Connection program, ACC will provide hands-on, one-on-one support to assist every student through each step of the college admissions process. College Connection will help increase the number of graduating seniors who enter college by creating an awareness of the benefits of going to college. Bringing this unique partnership to the community is an important step toward student success. By working together to “close the gap,” we can help improve the quality of life in Central Texas…one student at a time. "Suddenly, (going to college) changes from being a possibility to an expectation." -Raymund Paredes, Texas Higher Education Commissioner W eb m as te rW eb m as te r Di re ct or y C op yr ig ht L eg al N ot ic es A bo ut A C C C on ta ct A C C A C C H o m e L as t m od ifi ed : D ec e m be r 14 20 06 @ 3: 22 p m | A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge Di str ict A us ti n, T X Di re ct or y C op yr ig ht L eg al N ot ic es A bo ut A C on ta ct A C A C H o m e F ut u re S tu d e nt s F ut u re S tu d e nt s C u rr e nt S tu d e nt s F a c ul ty a n d S ta ff C o m m u ni ty a n d B u si n e ss N e w sr o o m A - Z I n d e x C u rr e nt S tu d e nt s F a c ul ty a n d S ta ff C o m u ni ty a n d B u si n e ss N e w sr o m A - Z I n d e x College Connection at Austin Community CollegeCollege Connection at Austin Community College A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge 59 30 M id dl e Fi sk vi lle R d. A us ti n, Te xa s 78 75 2- 43 90 51 2. 22 3. 4 A C C (4 22 2) Apply Apply Schedule Register Schedule Register B la c k b o ar d L o gi nB la c k b o ar d L o gi n A C C 1 0 1A C 1 0 1 A C C A li v e T el et o u rA C A li v e T el et o u r T O P C A TT O P C A T E n E s p a ñ olE n E s p a ñ ol C ol le g e C o n n e ct io n H o m eC ol le g e C o n e ct io n H o m e S c h o ol D is tr ic ts P ar ti ci p at in g in C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nS c h o ol D is tr ic ts P ar ti ci p at in g in C ol le g e C o n e ct io n S te p s to C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nS te p s to C ol le g e C o n e ct io n A b o ut C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nA b o ut C ol le g e C o n e ct io n W h y C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nW h y C ol le g e C o n e ct io n A C C 's R ol e in C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nA C 's R ol e in C ol le g e C o n e ct io n W h at S tu d e nt s G etW h at S tu d e nt s G et A C C D e p ar t m e nt s in v ol v e d in C ol le g e C o nnectionA C D e p ar t m e nt s in v ol v e d in C ol le g e C o n ectionCollegeConnectionIntheNewsCollegeCon ectionIntheNewsACCCentersAC entersACCWeblinksAC WeblinksMobileGoCenterMobileGoCenter Welcome to College Connection Luanne Preston, Ph.D Executive Director, Early College Start and College Connections Austin Community College 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX 78752 (512) 223-7354 (512) 223-7895 (fax) luanne@austincc.edu Mary Hensley, Ed.D Vice President, College Support Systems and ISD Relations Austin Community College 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX 78752 (512) 223-7618 (512) 223-7895 (fax) mhensley@austincc.e du For additional information about ACC's College Connection Program, please contact

47. For a copy of this presentation: www.austincc.edu/isd/pflugerville_isd/080707Presentation.ppt

48. Questions and Answers