College Connection Richland College May 23 2008

College Connection Richland College May 23, 2008

Presenter Luanne Preston, Ph. D. Executive Director, Early College Start and College Connection luanne@austincc. edu 512 -223 -7354

Agenda Closing the Gaps Overview College Connection How It Works Program Results Program Recognition State and National Interest in Expansion College Connection Program Details College Connection Guiding Principles Common Challenges Questions and Answers

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

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. Richland College expects to have 17, 711 students by 2015. Source: http: //www. thecb. state. tx. us/Closingthe. Gaps/ctgtargets_pdf. cfm? Goal=1

College Connection Overview

Timing is Important “Entering college or community college directly from high school makes a difference. For students who graduate in June, starting college the following January dramatically reduces the rate of degree completion. ” --Clifford Adelman The Toolbox Revised, 2006

Improving High School to College Transitions Provide admission and pre-enrollment services to seniors on their 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.

Richland College Service Area College Transition Rates Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006 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 * Dallas ISD Hillcrest 236 44 19% 35 14% 157 67% 464 120 26% 107 23% 237 51% 55 1 2% 4 7% 50 91% 504 114 23% 167 33% 223 44% Garland ISD Garland Evening North Garland *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/1324. PDF

Richland College Service Area College Transition Rates Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006 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 * Naaman Forest 446 98 22% 143 32% 205 46% Sachse 450 91 20% 170 38% 189 42% Berkner 607 180 30% 184 30% 243 40% Lake Highlands 501 191 38% 99 20% 211 42% Pearce 442 160 36% 78 18% 204 46% Richardson 432 115 27% 87 20% 230 53% Richardson ISD *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/1324. PDF

College Connection How It Works

College Connection Program Many high school students find the college enrollment process intimidating. Austin Community College provides handson, 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.

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

College Connection Activity Grid Sample ISD District Lead: Sandra Dowdy, Assistant Superintendent, 512 -386 -3040, sdowdy@del-valle. k 12. tx. us Del Valle HS Lead: Jean Mac. Innis, Principal, 512 -386 -3210, jmacinnis@del-valle. k 12. tx. us Admin. Assistant: Nadene Norwood, 512 -386 -3211, nadene. norwood@del-valle. k 12. tx. us ACC District Lead: Mary Hensley, 223 -7618, mhensley@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, lclark 2@austincc. edu Senior Count: 400 Activity Date Time Location Equipment Communication Del Valle HS Contact (*Lead Contact) name@delvalle. k 12. tx. us ACC District Contact (*Lead Contact) name@austincc. edu High School Planning Committee Meeting August 9, 2007 2: 00 p. m. – 3: 00 p. m. Del Valle Admin 5301 Ross Road Del Valle, TX • E-mail • Announcement *Jean Mac. Innis Jmacinnis *Luanne Preston luanne College Connection Agreement Prior to beginning Fall semester *Sandra Dowdy Sdowdy *Luanne Preston luanne Senior Presentation Kickoff Activity September 13, 2007 10: 30 a. m. – 11: 30 a. m. Auditorium • Notice in parent *Sarah Mabry Sarah. mabry *Ashley Williams awillia 4 Admissions Application October 10, 2007 8: 30 a. m. – 4: 00 p. m. Rooms A 205, C 216, D 130, D 208 • Non-citizen *Sarah Mabry Sarah. mabry *Pat Colunga pcolunga Make-Up Day newsletter • Notice on high school website students must obtain alternate ID before completing application SHADE/BOLD – Required College Connection Activities

Lifetime Acceptance “at ACC” Application never discarded Provide a permanent college home • Students come to ACC: • • • Full-time Part-time In Summer for transfer After military service After career changes Co-enroll while attending 4 -year institution

Lifetime Acceptance “at ACC” Cohorts can be tracked by semester of entry Longitudinal data collected for ◦ Retention ◦ Completion ◦ Success

Program Results

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

Change in Recruiting Focus • Traditional recruitment had not produced desired results: • Several years of flat or low growth • Limited access to seniors • Classroom visits • College fairs, career days • Focus on partnership • Involvement, buy-in at high level in school, districts • Extend dual-credit successes

College Connection Program Growth Over 4 years: 1 school district to 27 school districts 2 high schools to 58 high schools 400 students to 17, 000+ students

The College Connection Program Works! San Marcos Austin Bastrop Del Valle Leander Hays Manor Pflugerville 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 Number ISD Students NOT located in Texas Higher Education Fall 2003 Number 273 2, 155 286 293 444 281 51 194 Percent 66% 56% 69% 77% 48% 57% 47% 219 2, 066 234 312 459 309 74 201 Blue=Year College Connection started Percent 55% 56% 57% 80% 48% 56% 57% 47% 234 2, 005 239 236 422 290 87 204 Percent 59% 54% 66% 42% 55% 62% 48% 294 2, 014 282 229 418 286 89 156 2006 Increase of Students in Higher Ed Since Implementation Percent 66% 52% 61% 71% 40% 51% 68% 46% 0% 4% -4 % 9% 8% 5% -6 % 2% Red=Year Seniors attend ACC after College Connection 1 -Source: http: //www. txhighereddata. org/Reports/PDF/0961. pdf 2 -Source: http: //www. txhighereddata. org/Reports/PDF/0963. pdf 3 -Source: http: //www. thecb. state. tx. us/Reports/PDF/1161. PDF

College Connection Diversity of Participants 2006 -07

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

College Connection Results for ACC, 2004 -2007 • 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 • 3, 209 students enrolled Summer 2007 (record-breaking ECS enrollment) • Positive effect on Tech Prep enrollments • 4, 336% increase in number of students receiving Tech Prep credit • • 36 students in 2003 -04 48 students in 2004 -05 293 students in 2005 -06 1, 597 students in 2006 -07

Program Recognition

College Connection Program National Acclaim & Recognition

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

State and National Interest in Expansion

National Interest Florida Launched state-wide campaign in April 2007, “Go Higher-Get Accepted” Modeled after College Connection http: //files. facts. usf. edu/ Go. Higher/go_high. htm

National Interest Maine Passed 2007 law requiring graduating high school seniors to complete at least one college application before getting diploma. Modeled after College Connection http: //www. mainevotes. c om/2007 -LD-1040

National Interest College Connection Program Replicated In: • • Arkansas California Connecticut Florida Hawaii Maine New Hampshire Virginia

“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

THECB Statewide College Connection Expansion 2007 -2009 • Ten Schools Receive Implementation Grants • • • Alamo Community College District Blinn College Del Mar College Houston Community College System Lee College Odessa College Richland College South Texas College Tarrant County College District Weatherford College

THECB Statewide College Connection Expansion 2007 -2009 • Five Schools Receive Planning Grants • Cedar Valley College • Cisco Junior College • Northeast Texas Community College • Paris Junior College • Victoria College

THECB Statewide College Connection Expansion • Schools Already Adopting College Connection • Alamo Community College District • Coastal Bend Community College • Del Mar Community College • Houston Community College District • Temple Community College • Victoria College

External Support for ACC Funding to expand College Connection Funding for Mobile Go Center Funding for statewide College Connection Regional Forums

Mobile Go Centers

ACC’s Two Mobile Go Centers MGC #1 • Length, 34 Feet • Air-Conditioned • 14 Computer Stations • • MGC #2 • Length, 42 Feet • Air-Conditioned • 16 Computer Stations • Equipped with: • Printers • Scanner • Copier • Satellite Internet

ACC’s Mobile Go Centers • Virtual one-stop, college-information facility • College catalog and schedule information • College applications • FAFSA • Other • Staffed by ACC student services personnel

ACC’s Mobile Go Centers Enable ACC to reach individuals where they live, work, and/or attend school Support College Connection program activities Assist in expanding ACC’s outreach efforts

ACC’s Mobile Go Centers Visit: • • • Festivals Sports Events Supermarkets Shopping Malls Schools Other www. austincc. edu/go

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

College Connection: Program Details

Formal Agreement Between college and school district Signed by chancellor and/or president and superintendent Establishes transfer of student data from high school to college Details responsibilities and expectations

Advance Briefing District/Central Office Staff • What the program involves; need for district support, promotion High School Principal • Pullouts from instructional time

Planning Meeting One meeting held annually usually in the Summer One hour (slightly longer for new schools or multiple schools) Check directory information; establish “go to” people Complete activity grid Focus on scheduling activities Leave activity details for * contacts

Communications between School District and College Electronic via list serv Updated activity grid sent via e-mail when changes occur College Connection website links i. Cal ◦ Combined calendar for internal use

Data Collection Collect electronically (Excel spreadsheet) Collect from high school • • • Name Address DOB HS Student ID (for later record matching) Test Scores (HS Exit Exam, SAT, ACT) Mark records as College Connection cohort in student database

Data Follow-Up Track by school, how many students complete each activity May need multiple visits to get 100% participation Give high school principal participation rates for use at graduation announcement ceremony Report Fall enrollment from pilot schools (compare to benchmark), Spring persistence

Data Strengthens Relationships Program report to Boards at College Connection launch Report college-going rates to Superintendent/Principals Program participation results for all activities • College acceptance rates to all schools • Use at graduation ceremonies

Data Strengthens Relationships Fall enrollment results reported, compared • New students’ majors reported • Use by ACC departments • Entry into developmental courses reported

Marketing Opportunities Press conferences, kick-off events, press releases • District, school newsletters • District, school websites • • Reach parents, siblings School marquees, internal video messaging systems • Constantly monitor availability of printed program materials • Frequent sightings of college personnel • • More “face time” results in greater connection

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

Website Participating Links schools to school pages Link to college pages of interest Press coverage/special events

College Connection Logo

College Connection: Guiding Principles

Guiding Principles: College Connection Deliver services on high school campus • “If they’re really interested, they should come to us” • “Getting them to the college campus really gets them excited; they need to see the college campus” • Traditional recruitment has not produced desired results What if the school wants to bring students to the college campus for activities other than campus tours? • Ascertain the school’s purpose – this approach can be useful in some circumstances, but it is generally more efficient to serve students at the high school

Guiding Principles: College Connection Deliver services during school day Work with every category of high school student • • • Gifted and talented Advanced Placement/Honors Bilingual/ESL Section 504 Special Education

Guiding Principles: College Connection Students do not need to repeat steps • Dual-credit students do not have to re-apply • Exempt students do not have to re-test Design activities within one bell period • Exception is assessment testing • Be respectful of instructional time Customize service delivery • Meet high school needs • Honor school preferences Incorporate suggestions of school personnel

Guiding Principles: Personnel Team structure has worked for ACC Sharing personnel across departments Cross-train and re-deploy • Recruiter/advisers Use trained college volunteers outside their regular duties • Tutors proctor tests

Guiding Principles: Personnel Have personnel assigned to specific schools • Builds relationships and trust • Early warning about problems One “expert” available on-site • Example: One admissions coordinator to address complex matters; other team members may be generalists

Guiding Principles: Personnel Have college personnel responsible for results ◦ Level of participation in each activity How many completed the activity? Do the preliminary results approach the projected numbers? Did most students apply? Did about 50% test? ◦ Interim results Have checkpoints Contact responsible school or district personnel in time to provide make-up dates before end of year, if numbers are low

Guiding Principles: Planning Required Activities ◦ What does a student have to complete, at a minimum, to enroll at your institution? Application How much time is needed for an application to be available in the student information system? TSI compliance (Assessment) What tests do you offer students? How much time is needed for scoring? Place required activities on grid

College Connection: Activity Sequence College School District Senior Presentation Senior Roster Admission Application Month September/October Financial Aid Application (FAFSA) Test Score Roster January/February ASSET Assessment February/March ACC Campus Tours Fall or Spring Pre-Advising March/April Graduation Letter May/June ACC Registration May, July/August Red=Required Blue=Recommended Black=Optional

Guiding Principles: Sequencing Activities Senior Presentation DVD

See, it didn’t hurt! Recruiter’s name prefix@austincc. edu

Guiding Principles: Scheduling The planning meeting for each school should occur before Fall semester, or as soon after school starts All events should be completed by mid-April with rare exceptions • The month of May through end of school is extremely busy on high school campuses A student should be able to complete an individual activity (exception assessment testing) with one bell period

Guiding Principles: Scheduling Provide capacity to staff activities at more than one school on the same day Decide what dates are ineligible for college personnel • First day of registration • Two weeks leading up to start of semester • First week of classes

Guiding Principles: Scheduling Plan on the following high school availability constraints: • End of six-week grading period/testing • TAKS testing dates • A/B Block scheduling (must provide activities on both A and B days) • Sports conflicts • Example: Tuesdays and Fridays are varsity basketball game days • Mondays and Fridays are the worst attendance days • Beginning/end of semester • Spring Break date differential (HB 1)

Guiding Principles: Scheduling Efficiency Schools are deeply concerned about loss of instructional time All College Connection required activities can be completed in the equivalent of one school day

Guiding Principles: Scheduling Efficiency Size of school may allow for combined activities • Example: Senior Presentation followed by Application • Advantages – Immediacy • A/B Block bell periods are 90 minutes long

Guiding Principles: Scheduling Efficiency Length of bell period may allow for combined activities • Example: Application, FAFSA Pin Number, online pre-advising • Advantages • Uses entire bell period • Already disrupted for application • Eliminates need for a second pullout • Disadvantages • Students usually complete pre-advising well before advising • Increases chance they will not retain important information • High school staff must retain printed checklist for students to avoid loss

ACC 101 Demonstration http: //www. austincc. edu/acc 101/index_content. html

Scheduling Efficiency – How Much Time? Senior Presentation – 20 minutes Admissions Application – 25 minutes ◦ Residency Form ◦ Missing Credentials Assessment – 5 hours • Partial testing takes less time • Math only – 1 hour • Reading/writing – 2. 25 hours Pre-Advising – 25 minutes Advising – 15 minutes average

Schools Respond In the equivalent of one school day or less, students have college acceptance and a permanent college home

Planning Meeting Recommended Participants College High School District lead person Principal Implementation lead person Grade level principal or AP Team leader for services Lead or senior counselor Person in charge of testing/scheduling Tech person (use of computer labs) Other staff who works with the “senior class” ◦ ◦ ◦ Admissions representative Financial Aid representative Assessment representative Recruitment representative Advising representative Recorder

Planning Meeting Recommended Things to Bring College High School College Calendar Bell schedule Admissions Team Calendar School calendar Financial Aid Team Calendar A/B Block scheduling Assessment Team Calendar Testing calendar Student Recruitment Team Calendar Advising Team Calendar

Best Practices—Getting Started Small and successful=Others will come Get internal support from: • • Information Technology Public Relations Dual Credit Tech Prep Foundation Student Recruitment Student Services Do away with thinking that students “have to come to the college” to meet college processes Focus on what works for the school district

Best Practices—After You’ve Started Use publicity and press conferences at every opportunity Get Foundation involved in raising scholarships Make a presentation to each school district Board • As the program begins, announce the expanded partnership • After the first year, go back and report enrollments Keep College Board of Trustees involved

Best Practices—After You’ve Started Continually thank and recognize participants Involve staff in recognitions Keep College Connection process simple Name a single point-of-contact for problem solving Use technology for communication including web, listserv, and online calendars (I-Cal) Build a superintendents’ e-mail list

Best Practices—After You’ve Started Develop natural “off shoots”: • • • Chamber of Commerce events/support Grants and Contracts Annexation Scholarships Continuing education Training Teacher certification Instructional Aide Training Dual Credit Tech Prep Other

Best Practices—After You’ve Started Have joint College and School District Board meetings Form College/ISD Executive Team Provide immediate response/service Pace for success

Common Challenges

Challenge #1 – Faculty Resistance Why does this occur? • Faculty not well-informed about the program • Some have traditional bias against community colleges • Concerns about quality of programs/instruction and transferability of classes

Strategy – Counter Faculty Resistance Feature a College Connection presentation at general faculty meeting Provide general information about college programs, costs, state-wide transfer of classes between public institutions Provide dates of pullouts well in advance, to allow for faculty planning Emphasize benefits to students • Students will be “ready-to-register” at your college at the end of the year

Challenge #2 – Student Resistance Why does this occur? • Students not exposed to the program in advance • Some are convinced they are going to college elsewhere or convinced they won’t need to go at all • A “cool” student has refused to participate

Strategy – Lessen Student Resistance Schedule a College Connection senior presentation before activities begin Encourage participation and explain program benefits to any student refusing to participate Recruit school opinion leaders and role models to influence their peers

Challenge #3 – Alleviate Parent Concerns Why does this occur? • Parents don’t want to give sensitive family income information to students, school or college staff • No computer access at home • Parents’ work schedule prevents easy completion

Strategy – Counter Parent Resistance on FAFSA Time school FAFSA activities to coincide with arrival of W-2 and filing of taxes Provide evening FAFSA workshops – work with school to have college personnel participate or lead Coordinate with volunteer programs that assist families with preparing/filing taxes Provide information about necessary documents/information in advance to parents

Questions and Answers

For copies: Power. Point Presentation: www. austincc. edu/isd/richland/052308 Presentation. ppt Handouts: www. austincc. edu/isd/documents