Texas Association of Chicanos Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education in Higher Education
2007 Conference2007 Conference
February 2, 2007February 2, 2007
College Connection:College Connection:AA Closing the GapsClosing the Gaps
InitiativeInitiative
Dr. Maggie de la Teja, Dean of Student ServicesDr. Maggie de la Teja, Dean of Student ServicesDr. Richard Armenta, Assoc. VP, Student SuccessDr. Richard Armenta, Assoc. VP, Student Success
Austin Community CollegeAustin Community College
Empowering Latinos to Seek Higher Education
What is “Closing the Gaps?”What is “Closing the Gaps?”
• Too few high school graduates entering college• Rapidly changing population increases among traditionally
underrepresented groups• By 2025 Latinos and Blacks will account for more than 55.4%
(16.4 million) of Texas population• College-going rate lags among minorities• In 2002 Latinos and Blacks accounted for 51% of the age
group 15-34 population, but only 36% of college and university enrollments
• Texas 2000 initiative to increase college enrollment, especially of underrepresented students
Closing the GapsClosing the Gaps
• State must increase Latino college-going participation rates by 2015
• Goal to increase overall enrollment in higher education by 630,000 by 2015; increase overall college-going rate from 5.0% in 2000 to 5.7% by 2015
• College-going rate lags among minority populations, particularly Latinos, 3.7% in 2000
• Goal is to increase college-going rate for Latinos by 2010 to 4.8% and to 5.7% by 2015 so as to improve quality of life and to maintain State economic advantage
Closing the GapsClosing the Gaps
• Closing the GapsClosing the Gaps warns that if more Texans do not warns that if more Texans do not receive college degrees by 2030, the State could lose up to receive college degrees by 2030, the State could lose up to $40 billion in annual household income$40 billion in annual household income
• Most students (over 50%) will elect to start at a Most students (over 50%) will elect to start at a community college, especially Latinoscommunity college, especially Latinos
• Austin Community College expects 15,000 more students Austin Community College expects 15,000 more students by 2015by 2015
Goals for Improving High Goals for Improving High School to College TransitionsSchool to College Transitions
• Create a culture/expectation that “college is in everyone’s future”
• Improve/increase percentage of high school graduates who enter college– About 54% college-going rate in Texas1
• Improve/increase number of high school students who earn college credit while in high school
- About 6% are dual enrolled in Texas2
1 – Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports
2 – Source: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/hsinit/papers/dual.pdf
Improve “College Readiness”Improve “College Readiness”
• Reduce high school drop-out rates
• Reduce number of students who need developmental/ remedial education before entering college credit– 60% of Latinos are under prepared in Texas1
• Enhance science and math education
1 – Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board – Developmental Education: Statewide Data Profile
Steps to a College Steps to a College Connection InitiativeConnection Initiative
Identify school districts/schools in service areaand data about college-going rates
Designate high-level college administrator to take the lead for the College Connection program
College administrator (lead) meets and discusses College Connection with superintendents of the school districts
Participating school personnel invited to meet with the college administrator lead and a team of Student Services and other college representatives to plan the various high school senior student activities (complete the Activity Grid)
College-Going RatesCollege-Going Rates
• Average Rate – 50% for 26 school districts1
• Range – 30% in Luling ISD (124 Seniors) to 72% in Dripping Springs ISD (234 Seniors) – Compared to 54% college-going rate for Texas
1 – Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports
District Service AreaDistrict Service AreaACC: A Critical Regional ResourceACC: A Critical Regional Resource
Black = In-district
Green = Out-of-District
ACC Service Area Ethnic DistributionACC Service Area Ethnic Distribution 18-44 Population (2005) 18-44 Population (2005)11
Other34,748
5%
Black50,289
7%
Hispanic217,406
32%
White373,753
56%
1 – Source: Austin Community College Fact Book 2005-2006
ACC Student Ethnic Distribution (Fall 2005)ACC Student Ethnic Distribution (Fall 2005)11
Other2,9729%
Black2,3837%
Hispanic7,45623%
White19,09761%
1 – Source: Austin Community College Fact Book 2005-2006
May 2006 High School Graduates Participating in May 2006 High School Graduates Participating in College ConnectionCollege Connection Ethnic DistributionEthnic Distribution11
White2,79342%
Hispanic2,67339%
Black77811%
Other5598%
Total Students Served
6,803
1 – Source: Austin Community College Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability
May 2006 High School Graduates Participating in May 2006 High School Graduates Participating in College ConnectionCollege Connection Enrolled Fall 2006 At ACC Enrolled Fall 2006 At ACC
Ethnic DistributionEthnic Distribution11
Other736%
Black12310%
Hispanic44937%
White55547%
Total Students Enrolled
1,200
1 – Source: Austin Community College Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability
Steps to a College Connection Steps to a College Connection InitiativeInitiative
The College administrator lead and data analysts obtain senior students’ testing scores and other data from the district
College Student Services leads in admissions, financial aid, assessment testing, academic advising, counseling, and recruitment go to the school campus and provide services
Completion of the Admissions Application is usually in the fall
Financial Aid services are provided in the spring to give students adequate time to gather income tax forms. Parents are invited to be a part of this process
Assessment Testing is usually in the spring
Online pre-advising (orientation) is then completed at the high school during class time or during advisory periods
One-on-one academic advising is completed at the high school with a college advisor/counselor in the spring
College ConnectionCollege Connection Program Program
• Many high school students find the college enrollment process intimidating.
• Austin Community College 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.
What is the What is the Austin Community College Austin Community College
College ConnectionCollege Connection??• Alignment of outreach efforts
• A collaboration among various departments at ACC and with the school districts
• Removal of barriers to college information/enrollment
• Hands-on assistance to students
• Intensive connection with high school students and staff
• 100% high school senior participation
• Formal acceptance to college for every high school senior
College ConnectionCollege Connection Activity Grid SampleActivity Grid Sample
Activity Date Time Location
Equipment
Communication San Marcos HS Contact
(*Lead Contact)
ACC Contact
(*Lead Contact)
Signature Letter of Release to Parents
August 15-26, 2005
Boilerplate letter
•Letters to parents contest
*Cecily Moore
Cecily.moore
*Linda Kluck
Lkluck
Senior Assembly:
-Access to College
-Getting Started
-Financial Aid
-Career Planning
September 8, 2005
9:45-11:15 a.m.
SMHS Auditorium and Library
•Notice in parent newsletter•Notice on high school website
*Cecily Moore
Cecily.moore
*George Reyes
Rey
Amy Koch
Akoch
Admissions Application
Make-Up Day
Sept 14, 2005
Sept 28, 2005
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
San Marcos HS Library 60 computers
•Intercom announcements•Notice to faculty
*Cecily Moore
Cecily.moore
*Amy Koch
Akoch
ASSET Assessment (paper and pencil)
Nov 8 & 10, 2005
8:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
SMCISD Fine Arts Theater and Library
•Schedule to parents and on web site
*Cecily Moore
Cecily.moore
*Amy Koch
Akoch
Financial Aid Information Night
Feb. 15, 2006
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
San Marcos HS Library
Use incentives for seniors to attend
Information sheet disseminated to students @ school & via web site
*Cecily Moore
Cecily.moore
*Terry [email protected]
San Marcos Lead: Chad Kelly, 512-393-6800, [email protected] Senior Count: 424 (SMHS)Cecily Moore, 512-393-6800, [email protected] 16 (Pride HS) ACC Lead: Mary Hensley, 223-7618, [email protected]/Luanne Preston, 223-7355, [email protected]. Assistant: Esther Buzard, 223-7618, [email protected]/Laurie Clark, 223-7353, [email protected]
SHADED – Required College Connection Activities
Uses of TechnologyUses of Technology
• Listservs to facilitate communicationListservs to facilitate communication
• Website with activity detailsWebsite with activity details
• I-cal online calendarI-cal online calendar
• Senior Assembly/Student Recruitment Presentation on InternetSenior Assembly/Student Recruitment Presentation on Internet
• Admissions Application on InternetAdmissions Application on Internet
• FAFSAFAFSA
• Teletour on InternetTeletour on Internet
• Pre-advising (101) on InternetPre-advising (101) on Internet
Mobile Go CenterMobile Go CenterThe ACC Mobile Go Center stops at schools, shopping malls, The ACC Mobile Go Center stops at schools, shopping malls, community centers, and other locations to bring college-related community centers, and other locations to bring college-related information, motivation, and assistance directly to students and information, motivation, and assistance directly to students and their families. Mobile Go Centers are part of the College for their families. Mobile Go Centers are part of the College for Texans Campaign to support state Closing the Gaps efforts to Texans Campaign to support state Closing the Gaps efforts to draw an additional 630,000 Texans into colleges and draw an additional 630,000 Texans into colleges and universities by 2015.universities by 2015.
College Connection ProgramCollege Connection Program ParticipantsParticipants
2003-2004 (Year 1)
San Marcos CISD
2004-2005 (Year 2)
Austin ISD
Bastrop ISD
Del Valle ISD
Leander ISD
San Marcos CISD
2005-2006 (Year 3)
Austin ISD
Bastrop ISD
Del Valle ISD
Hays CISD
Leander ISD
Manor ISD
Pflugerville ISD
San Marcos CISD
2006-2007 (Year 4)Austin ISDBlanco ISDBastrop ISDDel Valle ISDElgin ISDFredericksburg ISDHarper ISDHays CISDJarrell ISDJohnson City ISDLago Vista ISDLeander ISDLiberty Hill ISDLockhart ISDLuling ISDManor ISDNixon-Smiley CISDPflugerville ISDPrairie Lea ISDRound Rock ISDSan Marcos CISDSmithville ISD
School Districts Participating in theSchool Districts Participating in the College College Connection Connection Program 2006-2007Program 2006-2007
School DistrictSchool District Number of High Number of High SchoolsSchools
Number of SeniorsNumber of Seniors YearYearStartedStarted
Austin ISDAustin ISD 1212 4,2004,200 20042004
Bastrop ISDBastrop ISD 11 560560 20042004
Blanco ISDBlanco ISD 11 7777 20062006
Del Valle ISDDel Valle ISD 22 367367 20042004
Elgin ISDElgin ISD 22 234234 20062006
Fredericksburg ISDFredericksburg ISD 22 236236 20062006
Harper ISDHarper ISD 11 3333 20062006
Hays CISDHays CISD 33 665665 20052005
Jarrell ISDJarrell ISD 11 6060 20062006
Johnson City ISDJohnson City ISD 11 4949 20062006
Lago Vista ISDLago Vista ISD 11 8989 20062006
Leander ISDLeander ISD 44 1,3861,386 20042004
Liberty Hill ISDLiberty Hill ISD 11 138138 20062006
Lockhart ISDLockhart ISD 22 376376 20062006
Luling ISDLuling ISD 11 124124 20062006
Manor ISDManor ISD 22 226226 20052005
Nixon-Smiley CISDNixon-Smiley CISD 22 7373 20062006
Pflugerville ISDPflugerville ISD 22 436436 20052005
Prairie Lea ISDPrairie Lea ISD 11 2020 20062006
Round Rock ISDRound Rock ISD 55 2,5972,597 20062006
San Marcos CISDSan Marcos CISD 22 484484 20032003
Smithville ISDSmithville ISD 11 115115 20062006
Total (22)Total (22) 4141 12,54512,545
Steps to a College Connection Steps to a College Connection InitiativeInitiative
A high-level college administrator participates in the high school graduation ceremony if requested; each high school senior student participant receives a college admissions letter at the same time he/she receives a high school diploma
Evaluation of the College Connection program activities occurs at the college and at the high school to improve the process for the next year
While all these activities are occurring the administrator responsible for the College Connection program seeks grant funding to expand the program and funds for student scholarships
The ACC College Connection Program Works!
DistrictStudents Enrolling at ACC
Fall 2003
Students Enrolling at ACC
Fall 2004
Students Enrolling at ACC
Fall 2005
Students Enrolling at ACC
Fall 2006
% Increase of Students Enrolling at
ACC 2003-2006
Austin ISD 560 527 630 741 32.32%
Bastrop ISD 33 35 70 55 66.67%
Del Valle ISD 38 31 58 49 28.95%
Hays CISD 61 70 66 77 26.23%
Leander ISD 173 165 242 209 20.81%
Manor ISD 16 20 19 19 18.75%
Pflugerville ISD 83 79 67 95 14.46%
San Marcos CISD 33 48 49 36 9.09%
Totals 997 975 1,201 1,281 28.49%
Source: http://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports and ACC Office Of Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability
The Austin Community CollegeThe Austin Community CollegeCollege Connection Program Works!College Connection Program Works!
District Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education
Fall 20031
Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education
Fall 20042
Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education
Fall 20053
% Increase of students Located in
Higher Education
San Marcos 273 66% 219 55% 234 59% 7 %
Austin 2,155 56% 2,066 56% 2,005 54% 2 %
Bastrop 286 69% 234 57% 239 54% 15 %
Del Valle 293 77% 312 80% 236 66% 11 %
Leander 444 48% 459 48% 422 42% 6 %
Districts Initiating the College Connection Program in Fall 2005
Hays 281 57% 311 57% 290 55% 2 %
Manor 51 57% 74 57% 87 62% -5 %
Pflugerville 407 44% 470 49% 404 43% 1 %Blue=Year after College Connection started1-Source: http://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports/PDF/0961.pdf2-Source: http://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports/PDF/0963.pdf 3-Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF
College ConnectionCollege Connection Results for Results for Austin Community CollegeAustin Community College
Fall 2005Fall 2005• Positive effect on fall enrollments
– 28.49% increase in enrollment from College Connection High Schools from Fall 2003 to Fall 2006
• Positive effect on Early College Start/Dual Credit enrollments– 25.6% increase in enrollment from Fall 2004 to Fall 2005
• Positive effect on Tech Prep enrollments (high school students are able to take college technical courses for free and earn Tech Prep credit after the student successfully completes one college credit course at ACC)– Significant increase in number of students receiving Tech Prep credit
from Fall 2004 to Fall 2005
College ConnectionCollege Connection Budget ImplicationsBudget Implications
• ISDs not charged—free to themISDs not charged—free to them
• Replaces traditional recruitment activitiesReplaces traditional recruitment activities
• FY06 BudgetFY06 BudgetCollege Connection $100,000+additional institutional College Connection $100,000+additional institutional
funding=$989,000 (Covers existing, redeployed staff and funding=$989,000 (Covers existing, redeployed staff and resources plus additional Student Recruitment, Admissions, resources plus additional Student Recruitment, Admissions, Financial Aid, and Testing staff and materials)Financial Aid, and Testing staff and materials)
• FY07 increased grant funding—$277,000FY07 increased grant funding—$277,000
College ConnectionCollege Connection
Related Initiatives:Related Initiatives:
• Mini-Mini-College Connection College Connection for Adult Educationfor Adult Education
• College ConnectionCollege Connection Scholarships Scholarships
Other Community Colleges Other Community Colleges Adopting Adopting College ConnectionCollege Connection
ProgramProgram
• Alamo Community College District
• Coastal Bend Community College
• Del Mar Community College
• Houston Community College District
• Temple Community College
• Victoria Community College
Steps to a College Connection Steps to a College Connection InitiativeInitiative
Austin Community College College Connection Program is a 2006 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Star Award Winner
College Connection is the 2007 Bellwether Award winner from the Community College Futures Assembly
Your institution’s Next Step? Create an award winning College Connection program
“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 ParedesCommissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating BoardJanuary 6, 2005
To see a copy of this presentation, To see a copy of this presentation, please go to this link:please go to this link:
http://www.austincc.edu/isd/tache/020107.ppthttp://www.austincc.edu/isd/tache/020107.ppt
Dr. Maggie de la TejaDr. Maggie de la Teja
Austin Community CollegeDean of Student Services
1820 W. Stassney LaneAustin, TX 78745
(512) 223-9154(512) 223-9174 (fax)
Mary Hensley, Ed.D.Mary Hensley, Ed.D.
Austin Community CollegeVice President College Support
Systems and ISD Relations
5930 Middle Fiskville RoadAustin, TX 78754
(512) 223-7618(512) 223-7895 (fax)