College Connection
Los Angeles Community College District
October 19, 2007
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 Overview

College Connection How It Works

Program Results

Program Recognition

State and National Interest in Expansion

College Connection How To Start

College Connection Guiding Principles

Questions and Answers
ACC Overview: About ACC

“One College” with 7 campuses

Eight-county Service Area (state law)

34,000 students in credit programs
ACC Overview: ACC Taxing District
Williamson
County
Gillespie
County
Blanco
County
Travis
County
Bastrop
County
Hays
County
Caldwell
County
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.

Austin Community College District expects over
15,000 more students by 2015.
Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/ClosingtheGaps/ctgtargets_pdf.cfm?Goal=1
Texas Requires

Demonstration of College Readiness via
Test Score
◦ May use:
 High school exit exam (Texas Assessment of
Knowledge and Skills)
 Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA – test
developed by state)
 THEA-alternative (ASSET, COMPASS,
ACCUPLACER, ACT, SAT)

Required remediation for needed skills
College Connection
Overview
Education Beyond High School
Increases earning potential
and employment
opportunities
U.S. Department of Education
Learn to Earn
As
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te
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ch
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.
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ess
ion
al
eg
e
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ol l
om
So
m
Di
pl
HS
Le
ss
t
ha
nH
S
90000
80000
70000
60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
Source: Postsecondary Education OPPORTUNITY
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.
College is too hard.
I won’t fit in.
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”
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.
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
Austin Community College District Service Area
College Transition Rates
Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006
Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006
School District
Austin
Total High
School
Graduates
Students
Enrolled in
Texas
Universities
Students
Enrolled in
Texas 2-year
Colleges
Students Not
Located in
Texas Higher
Education *
3,856
1,111
29%
737
19%
2,008
52%
Bastrop
460
105
23%
73
16%
282
61%
Blanco
76
36
47%
13
17%
27
36%
319
32
10%
58
18%
229
72%
Dripping Springs
240
95
40%
62
26%
83
34%
Eanes
555
280
50%
59
11%
216
39%
Elgin
169
45
27%
29
17%
95
56%
Fredericksburg
227
88
39%
33
14%
106
47%
Coupland**
Del Valle
Doss**
*Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the Fall semester 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
Austin Community College District Service Area
College Transition Rates
Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006
Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006
School District
Georgetown
Total High
School
Graduates
Students
Enrolled in
Texas
Universities
Students
Enrolled in
Texas 2-year
Colleges
Students Not
Located in
Texas Higher
Education *
519
214
41%
98
19%
207
40%
46
29
63%
3
7%
14
30%
Hays
559
177
32%
96
17%
286
51%
Jarrell
44
14
32%
8
18%
22
50%
Johnson City
45
16
36%
6
13%
23
51%
Lago Vista
73
32
44%
21
29%
20
27%
Lake Travis
318
144
45%
62
20%
112
35%
1,052
371
35%
263
25%
418
40%
Liberty Hill
120
46
38%
24
20%
50
42%
Lockhart
219
62
28%
36
17%
121
55%
Harper
Leander
*Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the Fall semester 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
Austin Community College District 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 *
Luling
87
24
28%
9
10%
54
62%
Manor
131
26
20%
16
12%
89
68%
65
12
18%
9
14%
44
68%
964
319
33%
234
24%
411
43%
2,158
765
36%
373
17%
1,020
47%
San Marcos
448
98
22%
56
12%
294
66%
Smithville
125
31
25%
28
22%
66
53%
Wimberley
146
44
30%
45
31%
57
39%
13,021
4,216
32%
2,451
19%
6,354
49%
McDade**
Nixon-Smiley
Pflugerville
Prairie Lea**
Round Rock
Total
*Includes students who were not enrolled in Texas colleges or universities in the Fall semester 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 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.
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.k12.tx.us
Del Valle HS Lead:
Jean MacInnis, Principal, 512-386-3210, jmacinnis@del-valle.k12.tx.us
Admin. Assistant: Nadene Norwood, 512-386-3211, nadene.norwood@del-valle.k12.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, lclark2@austincc.edu
Senior Count:400
Activity
Date
Time
Location
Equipment
Communication
Del Valle HS Contact
(*Lead Contact)
name@delvalle.k12.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 MacInnis
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
newsletter
•Notice on high
school website
*Sarah Mabry
Sarah.mabry
*Ashley Williams
awillia4
Admissions
Application
October 10,
2007
8:30 a.m. –
4:00 p.m.
Rooms A205,
C216, D130,
D208
•Non-citizen
students must
obtain alternate
ID before
completing
application
*Sarah Mabry
Sarah.mabry
*Pat Colunga
pcolunga
Make-Up Day
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
Austin
Bastrop
Bastrop
Del Valle
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
17,000 + Seniors
expected in Year 5
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!
ISD
San Marcos
Austin
Bastrop
Del Valle
Leander
Hays
Manor
Pflugerville
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
Number
Number
Number
Number
273
2,155
286
293
444
281
51
194
Percent
66%
56%
69%
77%
48%
57%
57%
47%
219
2,066
234
312
459
309
74
201
Percent
55%
56%
57%
80%
48%
56%
57%
47%
234
2,005
239
236
422
290
87
204
Percent
59%
54%
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%
Blue=Year College Connection started
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 Positively
Impacts Other College Programs

ACC Fall Enrollments
◦
◦

Early College Start (Dual Credit)
Enrollments
◦
◦
◦

38% increase first year
59% increase over two years
26% increase in enrollment from ‘04 to ’05
45% increase in enrollment from ’04 to ’06
3,209 students enrolled Summer 2007 (recordbreaking ECS enrollment)
Tech Prep Enrollments
◦
4,336% increase in enrollment from ‘03 to ‘06
 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
Award Recipient
November 2006
Semi-Finalist
October 2006
• Bellwether Award
Award Recipient
January 2007
State and National Interest
in Expansion
National Interest:
Florida Department of Education

Launched state-wide campaign in April 2007 called “Go
Higher-Get Accepted” modeled after College Connection
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”
“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
•
Central Texas College
•
Coastal Bend Community College
•
Del Mar Community College
•
Houston Community College District
•
Temple Community College
•
Vernon College
•
Victoria Community College
College Connection
Draws External Funding
◦ TG Public Benefit Grant $155,000
◦ Texas Pioneer Foundation
$398,188
◦ Greater Austin Chamber of
Commerce
$108,000
◦ Round Rock ISD
$18,000
◦ Two Mobile Go Centers $147,218
 Advanced Micro Devices
 AT&T Foundation
 College For All Texans Foundation
 Texas Pioneer Foundation
40
Mobile Go Center
Related Initiatives

Mini-College
Connection
for Adult Education

College Connection
Scholarships
College Connection:
How To Start
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
 High
Office Staff
School Principal
Planning Meeting

One meeting held annually in the Summer

Schedule one hour (slightly longer for new schools or
multiple schools)

Complete activity grid

Focus on scheduling

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

iCal
◦ 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
Austin Community College
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

Work with every category of high school student
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Gifted and talented
Advanced Placement/Honors
Bilingual/ESL
Section 504
Special Education
Guiding Principles: College Connection

Avoid repetitive activities
◦ 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
Deliver services during school day
 Customize service delivery to meet high school
needs, honor school preferences
 Look for ways to incorporate suggestions of
school personnel

Guiding Principles: College Connection

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: College Connection

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: College Connection

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
Best Practices—Before You Start

Know/connect with Superintendent(s) in School District(s)

Form a College/ISD planning team

Form a College/High School planning team

Initially use a core team of early adopters

Build internal support; widely discuss goals

Understand K-12 operations

Initially use key leaders on teams then expand to lower-level
personnel

Make it a “win-win” program for both sides
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
Questions and Answers
For copies:
PowerPoint Presentation:
www.austincc.edu/isd/losangeles/101907Presentation.ppt
Handouts:
www.austincc.edu/isd/documents