College Connection

College ConnectionCollege ConnectionWeatherford CollegeNovember 15, 2007

Luanne Preston, Ph.D.Executive Director, Early College Start and College [email protected]

PresenterPresenter

mailto:[email protected]

AgendaAgenda

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 Common Challenges Questions and Answers

Texas Higher Education Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Coordinating Board’s

Strategic PlanStrategic Plan

“Closing the Gaps”“Closing the Gaps”OverviewOverview

Closing the Gaps in Closing the Gaps in ParticipationParticipation

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.

Weatherford College expects over 7,440 more students by 2015.

Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/ClosingtheGaps/ctgtargets_pdf.cfm?Goal=1

College ConnectionCollege ConnectionOverviewOverview

Education Beyond High Education Beyond High SchoolSchool

Increases earning potential and employment opportunities

U.S. Department of Education

Learn to EarnLearn to Earn

0100002000030000400005000060000700008000090000

Source: Postsecondary Education OPPORTUNITY

Excuses For Not ContinuingExcuses For Not ContinuingYour EducationYour 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.

I won’t fit in.College is too hard.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 Improving High School to College TransitionsCollege 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.

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006

Weatherford College Service AreaCollege Transition Rates

*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

School DistrictSchool District

Total High Total High School School

GraduatesGraduates

Students Students Enrolled in Enrolled in

Texas Texas UniversitiesUniversities


Texas 2-year Texas 2-year CollegesColleges

Students Not Students Not Located in Located in

Texas Higher Texas Higher Education *Education *

AledoAledo 269269 103103 38%38% 9090 34%34% 7676 28%28%

AlvordAlvord 4040 66 15%15% 1010 25%25% 2424 60%60%

BoydBoyd 6565 1010 15%15% 1414 22%22% 4141 63%63%

BridgeportBridgeport 131131 3232 24%24% 3232 24%24% 6767 52%52%

BrockBrock 5757 1717 30%30% 2121 37%37% 1919 33%33%

Bryson**Bryson**

ChicoChico 6161 1616 26%26% 1616 26%26% 2929 48%48%

DecaturDecatur 225225 4747 21%21% 7777 34%34% 101101 45%45%

http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1324.PDF





GraduatesGraduates






Texas Higher Texas Higher Education Education **

Gordon**Gordon**

GranburyGranbury 380380 111111 29%29% 8787 23%23% 182182 48%48%

JacksboroJacksboro 6464 2727 42%42% 1313 20%20% 2424 38%38%

Lipan **Lipan **

MillsapMillsap 6565 99 14%14% 2020 31%31% 3636 55%55%

Mineral WellsMineral Wells 190190 3636 19%19% 5454 28%28% 100100 53%53%

ParadiseParadise 6363 1515 24%24% 2121 33%33% 2727 43%43%

PeasterPeaster 5959 1313 22%22% 1616 27%27% 3030 51%51%






GraduatesGraduates






Texas Higher Texas Higher Education Education **

Perin-Whitt**Perin-Whitt**

PoolvillePoolville 3131 11 3%3% 1717 55%55% 1313 42%42%

Santo 3232 1010 32%32% 1111 34%34% 1111 34%34%

Slidell **Slidell **

SpringtownSpringtown 230230 3434 15%15% 7373 32%32% 123123 53%53%

Strawn **Strawn **

TolarTolar 3838 1818 47%47% 77 19%19% 1313 34%34%

WeatherfordWeatherford 415415 8282 20%20% 165165 40%40% 168168 40%40%

TotalTotal 2,4152,415 587587 24%24% 744744 31%31% 1,0841,084 45%45%


College ConnectionCollege ConnectionHow It WorksHow It Works

College Connection College Connection ProgramProgramMany 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.

Students Receive Services at the Students Receive Services at the High School:High School:

College Connection College Connection Activity Grid SampleActivity Grid Sample

Activity Date Time LocationEquipment

Communication Del Valle HS Contact(*Lead Contact)[email protected]

ACC District Contact(*Lead Contact)[email protected]

High School Planning Committee Meeting

August 9, 2007

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Del Valle Admin5301 Ross RoadDel Valle, TX

•E-mail•Announcement

*Jean MacInnisJmacinnis

*Luanne Prestonluanne

College Connection Agreement

Prior to beginning Fall semester

*Sandra DowdySdowdy

*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 MabrySarah.mabry

*Ashley Williamsawillia4

Admissions Application

Make-Up Day

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 MabrySarah.mabry

*Pat Colungapcolunga

ISD District Lead: Sandra Dowdy, Assistant Superintendent, 512-386-3040, [email protected]

Del Valle HS Lead: Jean MacInnis, Principal, 512-386-3210, [email protected]. Assistant: Nadene Norwood, 512-386-3211, [email protected]

ACC District Lead: Mary Hensley, 223-7618, [email protected]. Assistant: Esther Buzard, 223-7618, [email protected]

College Connection Lead: Luanne Preston, 223-7354, [email protected]

Admin. Assistant: Laurie Clark, 223-7354, [email protected] Senior Count:400

SHADE/BOLD – Required College Connection Activities

mailto:[email protected]

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 ResultsProgram Results

College ConnectionCollege Connection School Districts School Districts

2003-04 Year 1San Marcos

2004-05Year 2Austin

Bastrop

Del Valle

Leander

San Marcos

2005-06Year 3Austin

Bastrop

Del Valle

Hays

Leander

Manor

Pflugerville

San Marcos

2006-07Year 4Austin BastropBlanco Del ValleElginFredericksburgHarper Hays Jarrell Johnson City Lago Vista Leander Liberty Hill Lockhart Luling Manor Nixon-SmileyPflugerville Prairie Lea Round Rock San Marcos Smithville

2007-08Year 5

Austin BastropBlanco Del ValleDripping SpringsEanesElgin FredericksburgGeorgetownHarper Hays Jarrell Johnson CityLago Vista

Lake TravisLeander Liberty HillLockhart Luling Manor Nixon-SmileyPflugerville Prairie Lea Round Rock

San Marcos Smithville Wimberley

School Districts Participating in the School Districts Participating in the College College ConnectionConnection Program Program 2007-20082007-2008

School DistrictSchool District Number of High Number of High SchoolsSchools

Number of SeniorsNumber of Seniors YearYearStartedStarted

Austin ISDAustin ISD 1212 5,1895,189 20042004

Bastrop ISDBastrop ISD 22 609609 20042004

Blanco ISDBlanco ISD 11 7272 20062006

Del Valle ISDDel Valle ISD 22 544544 20042004

Dripping Springs ISDDripping Springs ISD 11 265265 20072007

Eanes ISDEanes ISD 11 650650 20072007

Elgin ISDElgin ISD 22 264264 20062006

Fredericksburg ISDFredericksburg ISD 11 247247 20062006

Georgetown ISDGeorgetown ISD 22 791791 20072007

Harper ISDHarper ISD 11 6262 20062006

Hays CISDHays CISD 33 723723 20052005

Jarrell ISDJarrell ISD 11 4848 20062006

Johnson City ISDJohnson City ISD 11 5252 20062006

Lago Vista ISDLago Vista ISD 11 8989 20062006

School Districts Participating in the School Districts Participating in the College College ConnectionConnection Program Program 2007-20082007-2008

School DistrictSchool District Number of High Number of High SchoolsSchools

Number of SeniorsNumber of Seniors YearYearStartedStarted

Lake Travis ISDLake Travis ISD 22 415415 20072007

Leander ISDLeander ISD 44 1,5181,518 20042004

Liberty Hill ISDLiberty Hill ISD 11 180180 20062006

Lockhart ISDLockhart ISD 22 387387 20062006

Luling ISDLuling ISD 11 131131 20062006

Manor ISDManor ISD 22 255255 20052005

Nixon-Smiley CISDNixon-Smiley CISD 11 5757 20062006

Pflugerville ISDPflugerville ISD 44 1,3851,385 20052005

Prairie Lea ISDPrairie Lea ISD 11 1717 20062006

Round Rock ISDRound Rock ISD 55 2,7902,790 20062006

San Marcos CISDSan Marcos CISD 22 483483 20032003

Smithville ISDSmithville ISD 11 140140 20062006

Wimberley ISDWimberley ISD 11 169169 20072007

Total (27)Total (27) 5858 17,53217,532

College ConnectionCollege Connection Program Growth 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 The College ConnectionCollege Connection Program Works! Program Works!

Blue=Year College Connection started Red=Year Seniors attend ACC after College Connection1-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

ISD

Students NOT located in Texas Higher Education Fall 2003




2006 Increase of Students in Higher Ed Since Implementation

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

San Marcos 273 66% 219 55% 234 59% 294 66% 0 %

Austin 2,155 56% 2,066 56% 2,005 54% 2,014 52% 4 %

Bastrop 286 69% 234 57% 239 54% 282 61% -4 %

Del Valle 293 77% 312 80% 236 66% 229 71% 9 %

Leander 444 48% 459 48% 422 42% 418 40% 8 %

Hays 281 57% 309 56% 290 55% 286 51% 5 %

Manor 51 57% 74 57% 87 62% 89 68% -6 %

Pflugerville 194 47% 201 47% 204 48% 156 46% 2 %

http://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports/PDF/0961.pdf

http://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports/PDF/0963.pdf

http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF

College ConnectionCollege Connection Diversity of Participants 2006-07Diversity of Participants 2006-07

More than 55% of College Connectionenrollees are minorities

Higher percentage entering ACC through College Connection than in the general ACC student population

Traditionally Underrepresented in Higher Traditionally Underrepresented in Higher Education - Students Enroll at ACCEducation - Students Enroll at ACC

College ConnectionCollege Connection Results for ACC, Results for ACC, 2004-20072004-2007

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 RecognitionProgram Recognition

College Connection College Connection Program Program National Acclaim & RecognitionNational Acclaim & Recognition

Awards ReceivedAwards Received

State and National Interest State and National Interest in Expansionin Expansion

Florida Department of EducationFlorida Department of Education Launched state-wide campaign in April 2007 called “Go

Higher-Get Accepted” modeled after College Connection

Maine Interest in Maine Interest in College ConnectionCollege Connection

Proposed law requiring graduating high school seniors to complete at least one college application before getting diploma.

Support from “Compact for Higher Education”

National Interest:National Interest:

“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 Expansion2007-2009

• 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 Expansion2007-2009

• 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 ACCExternal Support for ACC

Funding to expand College Connection

Funding for Mobile Go Center

Funding for statewide College Connection Regional Forums

Mobile Go CenterMobile Go Center

Related InitiativesRelated InitiativesMini-College Connection

for Adult Education

College Connection Scholarships

College ConnectionCollege Connection::How To StartHow To Start

Formal AgreementFormal 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 BriefingAdvance Briefing

District/Central Office Staff

High School Principal

Planning MeetingPlanning Meeting One meeting held annually usually 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 Communications between School District and CollegeSchool 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

http://www.austincc.edu/isd

http://ical.austincc.edu/college_connect/college_connect

Data CollectionData CollectionCollect 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-UpData Follow-UpTrack 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 CollegeAustin Community CollegeCollege ConnectionCollege Connection Website Website

Access to scheduled activities for students, parents, and school officials

Calendars

Links to pertinent ACC school district sites

www.austincc.edu/isd

http://www.austincc.edu/isd

WebsiteWebsite

Participating schools

Links to school pages

Link to college pages of interest

Press coverage/special events

http://www.austincc.edu/isd/districts.php

http://www.austincc.edu/isd/bastrop_isd/index.php

http://www.austincc.edu/isd/links.php

http://www.austincc.edu/isd/news.php

College ConnectionCollege Connection Logo Logo

College ConnectionCollege Connection::Guiding PrinciplesGuiding Principles

Guiding Principles: Guiding Principles: College ConnectionCollege 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


Work with every category of high school student◦ Gifted and talented◦ Advanced Placement/Honors◦ Bilingual/ESL◦ Section 504◦ Special Education


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

Deliver services during school dayCustomize service delivery to meet high school

needs, honor school preferencesLook for ways to incorporate suggestions of

school personnel

Guiding Principles: Guiding Principles: PersonnelPersonnel

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


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


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: Guiding Principles: Sequencing Activities Sequencing Activities

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?

College Connection: College Connection: Activity Sequence Activity Sequence College School District

1. Senior Presentation 1a. Senior Roster

2. Admission application

3. Financial aid application 3a. Test Score Roster

4. ASSET assessment

5. Tour of Austin CommunityCollege campus(es)

6. Pre-Advising

7. Advising

8. Acceptance letter to Austin Community College at graduation

9. Registration for Austin CommunityCollege classes

Red=Required Blue=Recommended Black=Optional


Required Activities◦ What does a student have to complete, at a minimum, to

enroll at your institution? Orientation

Is orientation mandatory? Do you enforce its completion before students can register? Before they can be advised?

Advising Is advising required prior to registration? What action allows a student to register?

Recommended Activities◦ FAFSA Completion◦ Senior Presentation

Optional Activities◦ Career Information◦ Campus Tours◦ College Days



When to schedule activities?◦ Planning Meeting

After graduation, before fall semester Before spring, if all activities to be completed in spring

◦ Senior Presentation Prior to first activity, as soon as possible after school starts Usually admissions follows

◦ Admissions Application End of September, October, or November through Thanksgiving After receipt of data roster In time, where possible, for seniors to prepare for Spring dual- credit

registration


When to schedule activities?◦ Assessment

End of January through early March After receipt of test score roster – timed to allow maximum

number of SAT/ACT test scores to be included Allows students to receive the most instructional content prior to

testing

◦ Financial Aid Mid-January through Mid-March Presentations timed to coincide with W-2 arrival, tax

preparation, and meet college priority filing deadlines Night presentations and workshops for parents and students Financial Aid Saturdays

Guiding Principles: Guiding Principles: Sequencing ActivitiesSequencing Activities

When to schedule activities?◦ New Student Orientation

ACC calls this step “pre-advising” Completed online as ACC 101

Live program replaced by online module per school request School manages where and when students complete

Student prints checklist as proof of completion Many schools schedule during advisory Schedule window of time prior to academic advising

Recommend 1-3 weeks prior to advising session


When to schedule activities?◦ Academic Advising

Mid-February through Mid-April Allow time, if needed, for test scores to be entered or processed

and available to advisors ACC requires three weeks is using ASSET

◦ Complete all College Connection activities by mid-April

◦ Deliver graduation packets three weeks prior to ceremony

Guiding Principles: Guiding Principles: Sequencing ActivitiesSequencing Activities

Senior Presentation DVD

See, it didn’t hurt!

Recruiter’s [email protected]

Guiding Principles: Guiding Principles: SchedulingScheduling

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


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


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 (HB1)

Guiding Principles: Guiding Principles: Scheduling EfficiencyScheduling 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

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


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 DemonstrationACC 101 Demonstration

http://www.austincc.edu/acc101/index_content.html

http://www.austincc.edu/acc101/index_content.html

Scheduling Efficiency – How Scheduling Efficiency – How Much Time?Much Time?

Senior Presentation – 20 minutesAdmissions 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 minutesAdvising – 15 minutes average

Planning MeetingPlanning MeetingRecommended ParticipantsRecommended Participants

College High School District lead person

Implementation lead person

Team leader for services◦ Admissions representative◦ Financial Aid representative◦ Assessment representative◦ Recruitment representative◦ Advising representative◦ Recorder

Principal

Grade level principal or AP

Lead or senior counselor

Person in charge of testing/scheduling

Tech person (use of computer labs)

Other staff who works with the “senior class”

Planning MeetingPlanning MeetingRecommended Things to BringRecommended Things to Bring

College High School College Calendar

Admissions Team Calendar

Financial Aid Team Calendar

Assessment Team Calendar

Student Recruitment Team Calendar

Advising Team Calendar

Bell schedule

School calendar

A/B Block scheduling

Testing calendar

College ConnectionCollege Connection Planning Meeting DemonstrationPlanning Meeting Demonstration

Best Practices—Getting StartedBest 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 StartedBest 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

Keep College Board of Trustees involved


Continually thank and recognize participants

Involve staff in recognitions

Keep College Connection process simple

Name a single point-of-contact for problem solving

Utilize technology for communication including web, listserv, and online calendars (I-Cal)

Build a superintendents’ e-mail list


Increased enrollments will build programs and support staff

Many good “off shoots” develop: ◦ Chamber of Commerce events/support◦ Grants and Contracts◦ Annexation◦ Scholarships◦ Continuing education◦ Training◦ Teacher certification◦ Instructional Aide Training◦ Dual Credit◦ Tech Prep◦ Other


Have joint College and School District Board meetings

Form College/ISD Executive Team

Provide immediate response/service

Pace for success

Common ChallengesCommon Challenges

Challenge #1 – Faculty ResistanceChallenge #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 ResistanceStrategy – Counter Faculty Resistance

Feature a College Connection presentation at general faculty meeting

Provide general information about TCCD 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 TCCD at the end of the year

Challenge #2 – Student ResistanceChallenge #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 ResistanceStrategy – 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 ConcernsChallenge #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 FAFSAStrategy – Counter Parent Resistance on FAFSA

Time school FAFSA activities to coincide with arrival of W-2 and filing of taxes

Provide evening FAFSA workshops – invite TCCD to 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 AnswersQuestions and Answers

For copies:For copies:

PowerPoint Presentation:www.austincc.edu/isd/weatherford/111507Presentation.ppt

Handouts:www.austincc.edu/isd/documents

Documents

College Connection