Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education 2007 Conference February 2, 2007 College Connection: A Closing the Gaps Initiative Empowering Latinos to Seek Higher Education Dr.
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Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education 2007 Conference February 2, 2007 College Connection: A Closing the Gaps Initiative Empowering Latinos to Seek Higher Education Dr. Maggie de la Teja, Dean of Student Services Dr. Richard Armenta, Assoc. VP, Student Success Austin Community College 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 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 Gaps • 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 • Most students (over 50%) will elect to start at a community college, especially Latinos • Austin Community College expects 15,000 more students by 2015 Goals for Improving High School 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” • 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 Connection Initiative Identify school districts/schools in service area and 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 Rates College-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 Area ACC: A Critical Regional Resource Black = In-district Green = Out-of-District ACC Service Area Ethnic Distribution 18-44 Population (2005)1 Hispanic 217,406 32% White 373,753 56% 1 – Source: Austin Community College Fact Book 2005-2006 Black 50,289 7% Other 34,748 5% ACC Student Ethnic Distribution (Fall 2005)1 Hispanic 7,456 23% Black 2,383 7% White 19,097 61% 1 – Source: Austin Community College Fact Book 2005-2006 Other 2,972 9% May 2006 High School Graduates Participating in College Connection Ethnic Distribution1 Total Students Served Hispanic 2,673 39% 6,803 White 2,793 42% 1 – Source: Austin Community College Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability Black 778 11% Other 559 8% May 2006 High School Graduates Participating in College Connection Enrolled Fall 2006 At ACC Ethnic Distribution1 Hispanic 449 37% Total Students Enrolled 1,200 White 555 47% 1 – Source: Austin Community College Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability Other 73 6% Black 123 10% Steps to a College Connection Initiative 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 Connection Programs & Activities College Connection Program • Many high school students find the college enrollment process intimidating. • Austin Community College provides hands-on, one-onone 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 Austin Community College College 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 Connection Activity Grid Sample 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] Admin. Assistant: Esther Buzard, 223-7618, [email protected]/Laurie Clark, 223-7353, [email protected] Activity Date Signature Letter of Release to Parents August 1526, 2005 Senior Assembly: -Access to College -Getting Started -Financial Aid -Career Planning September 8, 2005 Admissions Application Sept 14, 2005 Make-Up Day Sept 28, 2005 ASSET Assessment (paper and pencil) Financial Aid Information Night Time Location Equipment Communication San Marcos HS Contact (*Lead Contact) [email protected] ACC Contact (*Lead Contact) [email protected] Boilerplate letter •Letters to parents contest *Cecily Moore Cecily.moore *Linda Kluck Lkluck 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 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 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 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 Bazan SHADED – Required College Connection Activities [email protected] Students Receive Services at the High School: Required • Admission application • ASSET or COMPASS college readiness testing • Pre-advising (ACC 101) • Academic advising • Acceptance letter at graduation Optional • • • • Student life information ACC video teleconference ACC campus tours Register for ACC classes Recommended • Senior presentation • Financial aid application Uses of Technology • Listservs to facilitate communication • Website with activity details • I-cal online calendar • Senior Assembly/Student Recruitment Presentation on Internet • Admissions Application on Internet • FAFSA • Teletour on Internet • Pre-advising (101) on Internet Mobile Go Center The ACC Mobile Go Center stops at schools, shopping malls, community centers, and other locations to bring college-related information, motivation, and assistance directly to students and their families. Mobile Go Centers are part of the College for Texans Campaign to support state Closing the Gaps efforts to draw an additional 630,000 Texans into colleges and universities by 2015. Participating School Districts College Connection Program Participants 2003-2004 (Year 1) 2004-2005 (Year 2) 2005-2006 (Year 3) 2006-2007 (Year 4) San Marcos CISD Austin ISD Austin ISD Bastrop ISD Bastrop ISD Del Valle ISD Del Valle ISD Leander ISD Hays CISD San Marcos CISD Leander ISD Austin ISD Blanco ISD Bastrop ISD Del Valle ISD Elgin ISD Fredericksburg ISD Harper ISD Hays CISD Jarrell ISD Johnson City ISD Lago Vista ISD Leander ISD Liberty Hill ISD Lockhart ISD Luling ISD Manor ISD Nixon-Smiley CISD Pflugerville ISD Prairie Lea ISD Round Rock ISD San Marcos CISD Smithville ISD Manor ISD Pflugerville ISD San Marcos CISD School Districts Participating in the College Connection Program 2006-2007 School District Number of High Schools Number of Seniors Year Started Austin ISD 12 4,200 2004 Bastrop ISD 1 560 2004 Blanco ISD 1 77 2006 Del Valle ISD 2 367 2004 Elgin ISD 2 234 2006 Fredericksburg ISD 2 236 2006 Harper ISD 1 33 2006 Hays CISD 3 665 2005 Jarrell ISD 1 60 2006 Johnson City ISD 1 49 2006 Lago Vista ISD 1 89 2006 Leander ISD 4 1,386 2004 Liberty Hill ISD 1 138 2006 Lockhart ISD 2 376 2006 Luling ISD 1 124 2006 Manor ISD 2 226 2005 Nixon-Smiley CISD 2 73 2006 Pflugerville ISD 2 436 2005 Prairie Lea ISD 1 20 2006 Round Rock ISD 5 2,597 2006 San Marcos CISD 2 484 2003 Smithville ISD 1 115 2006 41 12,545 Total (22) Steps to a College Connection Initiative 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 College Connection Program Works The ACC College Connection Program Works! District Students 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 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% 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% 997 975 1,201 1,281 28.49% Austin ISD Leander ISD Totals Source: http://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports and ACC Office Of Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability The Austin Community College College Connection Program Works! District San Marcos Austin Bastrop Del Valle Leander Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education Fall 20031 Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education Fall 20042 273 2,155 286 293 444 219 2,066 234 312 459 66% 56% 69% 77% 48% 55% 56% 57% 80% 48% Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education Fall 20053 234 2,005 239 236 422 % Increase of students Located in Higher Education 59% 54% 54% 66% 42% Districts Initiating the College Connection Program in Fall 2005 Hays 281 57% 311 57% 290 55% Manor 51 57% 74 57% 87 62% 407 44% 470 49% 404 43% Pflugerville Blue=Year after College Connection started 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 7% 2% 15 % 11 % 6% 2% -5 % 1% College Connection Results for Austin Community College Fall 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 Connection Budget Implications • ISDs not charged—free to them • Replaces traditional recruitment activities • FY06 Budget College Connection $100,000+additional institutional funding=$989,000 (Covers existing, redeployed staff and resources plus additional Student Recruitment, Admissions, Financial Aid, and Testing staff and materials) • FY07 increased grant funding—$277,000 College Connection Expansion College Connection Related Initiatives: • Mini-College Connection for Adult Education • College Connection Scholarships Other Community Colleges Adopting 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 Steps to a College Connection Initiative 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 Paredes Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board January 6, 2005 College Connection Web Site www.austincc.edu/isd College Connection Website To see a copy of this presentation, please go to this link: http://www.austincc.edu/isd/tache/020107.ppt Dr. Maggie de la Teja Austin Community College Dean of Student Services 1820 W. Stassney Lane Austin, TX 78745 (512) 223-9154 (512) 223-9174 (fax) [email protected] Mary Hensley, Ed.D. Austin Community College Vice President College Support Systems and ISD Relations 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX 78754 (512) 223-7618 (512) 223-7895 (fax) [email protected]