Planting the Seeds for College
College for Texans Campaign
J.C. Thompson Elementary
Where do college dreams begin?
Aspirations for
education begin early
and in the home.
You are your children’s
greatest advocate
and role model.
Parenting: It’s a full-time job.
Know with whom your
children are spending
time.
Set expectations for
your children.
Play an active role in
disciplining your
children.
You are your children’s first
teacher.
How can you help them?
 Talk, talk, talk.
 Repeat things often.
 Talk in two languages
if you’re bilingual.
 Tell them stories.
Make your home a classroom.
It’s important to make your home a good place
for your child to learn. Here are a few tips:
 Give children a safe, enriching, and stimulating
environment.
 Give children a quiet place to study.
 Limit time watching TV and playing video games.
Children need a positive attitude
toward school.
Show them you think
learning is important.
Share your dream of
their going to college
often.
Be a supporter of education.
Visit the library
regularly with your
children.
Go to school functions
and volunteer in the
classroom.
Set aside a time and
place for your children
to read and study.
Ask that your children
be put in challenging
classes.
“I don’t get it!”
Emphasize the importance of
school.
Seek help from the
appropriate teacher or school
counselor if your children are
having trouble.
If your, children are bored or
unchallenged in the
classroom schedule a time to
talk with the teacher.
Homework tips
Help your children with
homework.
Praise your children for
progress; display their
work.
Avoid making homework
a punishment.
Grades count, even in
the beginning.
It’s never too early to start saving
money for college!
“Feed” a piggy bank
regularly.
“It’s a gift for the future.”
Give an allowance for the
future.
Investigate and choose a
savings plan.
Save for the best gift ever.
 Start saving for college as early as possible.
 Create an account for your children’s college
funds and contribute regularly.
 Lean about the Texas Tomorrow Funds,
www.texastomorrowfunds.org or
1-800-445-GRAD and similar college
investment or pre-paid college tuition plans.
Support good grades.
Always review your
children’s report cards
and give positive
feedback and
encouragement.
Seek help from
teachers or a school
counselor or find
tutors if your children
have difficulty with
class work.
Does your children’s school
make the grade?
 Overall student
performance on tests
 School attendance
 Dropout rates
Think college.
Make sure your children
know that you expect
them to go to college.
Find out if pre-college
programs are available.
Are college mentors
available?
Preparation for higher education
There are two high school graduation plans that
prepare students for college.
 Recommended High School Program (RHSP)
 A 24-credit, college-preparatory curriculum that
helps ensure that all Texas high school students
take advanced mathematics and science courses
 The Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP)
 The state’s advanced high school graduation plan
Take a trip!
 Attend a college open house.
 Encourage your children to explore campus
activities.
 Talk to students on campus about their
preparation for college.
We’re saving a seat for you!
Type
Public Two-year
Colleges
Description
Examples
Technical colleges, state colleges and
community colleges that offer
educational and training programs
leading to a certificate or a two-year
associate’s degree.
El Paso Community College
Offer educational programs that lead to
a four-year bachelor’s degree. Many
offer graduate degrees (master’s or
doctoral), requiring more years of study.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Independent
(Private)
Institutions
Some offer two-year programs, while
senior-level independents offer four-year
bachelor’s degrees and graduate or
professional degrees.
Jackson College
Health-Related
Institutions
Offer bachelor’s, master’s doctoral, and
professional degrees (such as medical
degrees) in health-related professions.
Texas Tech Health Sciences Center
Public
Universities
Lamar State College-Orange
Texas State Technical College-Waco
University of Texas at Austin
Prairie View A&M University
Rice University
University of Texas Health Science
Center at San Antonio
Our kids are on their way to
college!
For more information call the
College for Texans help line at:
1-888-311-8881 toll free
Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, 7a.m. – 5 p.m.
Or visit collegefortexans.com.