College ConnectionCollege Connection

ACT Conference PresentationApril 20, 2006

AgendaAgenda

• College Connection Overview

• College Connection Results

• Assessment

• COMPASS

• Questions and Answers

PresentersPresenters

Mary Hensley, Ed.D.Vice President, College Support Systems and ISD Relationsmhensley@austincc.edu512-223-7618

Luanne Preston, Ph.D.Executive Director, Early College Start and College Connectionluanne@austincc.edu512-223-7354

Jennifer Weber, M.Ed.Online Applications Software Administratorjweber@austincc.edu512-223-7333

Richard Smith, Ph.D.Associate Vice President, Instructional Resources and Technologyrlsmith@austincc.edu512-223-7792

College College ConnectionConnectionOverviewOverview

Closing the GapsClosing 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

• Austin Community College expects 15,000 more students by 2015.

Closing the GapsClosing the Gaps

• State must increase minority participation rates

• Goal to increase enrollment in higher education by 630,000 by 2015

• “College-going” rate lags among minority populations

• Participation rates of minorities need to be proportional to population figures for the State to improve quality of life and to maintain State economic advantage

Improving High School Improving High School to College Transitions to College Transitions - Goals- Goals• Create a culture/expectation that “College is in

everyone’s future”

• Improve/increase percentage of high school graduates who enter college after high school graduation

• Improve/increase number of high school students who earn college credit while in high school

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005

Austin Community 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/1161.PDF

School District

Total High

School Graduat

es

Students Enrolled in

Texas Universities

Students Enrolled in Texas 2-

year Colleges

Students Not Located

in Texas Higher

Education *

Austin 3,732 1040 28% 687 18% 2,005

54%

Bastrop 446 105 24% 102 23% 239 54%

Blanco 63 18 29% 14 22% 31 49%

Coupland**

Del Valle 360 57 16% 67 19% 236 66%

Doss**

Dripping Springs 234 114 49% 54 23% 66 28%

Eanes 576 256 44% 53 9% 267 46%

Elgin 211 58 27% 42 20% 111 53%

Fredericksburg 228 90 39% 30 13% 108 47%

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005

Austin Community College Service AreaCollege Transition Rates

School District

Total High

School Graduat

es

Students Enrolled in

Texas Universities

Students Enrolled in Texas 2-

year Colleges

Students Not Located

in Texas Higher

Education *

Georgetown 530 189 36% 95 18% 246 46%

Harper 33 17 51% 4 12% 12 36%

Hays 531 164 31% 77 15% 290 55%

Jarrell 38 10 26% 10 26% 18 47%

Johnson City 58 23 40% 9 16% 26 45%

Lago Vista 65 21 32% 8 12% 36 55%

Lake Travis 320 150 47% 54 17% 116 36%

Leander 1,016 312 31% 282 28% 422 42%

Liberty Hill 138 42 30% 30 22% 66 48%

Lockhart 241 66 27% 28 12% 147 61%*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/1161.PDF

Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005Texas High School Graduates from FY 2005Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2005

Austin Community College Service AreaCollege Transition Rates

School District

Total High

School Graduat

es

Students Enrolled in

Texas Universities

Students Enrolled in Texas 2-

year Colleges

Students Not Located

in Texas Higher

Education *

Luling 81 17 21% 7 9% 57 70%

Manor 140 27 19% 26 19% 87 62%

McDade**

Nixon Smiley 59 10 17% 13 22% 36 61%

Pflugerville 940 334 36% 202 21% 404 43%

Prairie Lea**

Round Rock 2,202 747 34% 398 18% 1,057

48%

San Marcos 400 102 26% 64 16% 234 59%

Smithville 105 25 24% 24 23% 56 53%

Wimberley 160 65 41% 34 21% 61 38%

Total 12,907 4,059

31% 2,414

19% 6,434

50%*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/1161.PDF

College Connection College Connection ProgramProgram• Many 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.

College ConnectionCollege Connection Students Receive On-Campus Students Receive On-Campus Activities:Activities:• Access to college and help getting started• Student life information • Admission application• Austin Community College Video Teleconference—Campus

Tour• Financial aid application• ASSET assessment • Tour of Austin Community College campus(es)• Pre-Advising• Advising• Acceptance letter to Austin Community College at graduation• Registration for Austin Community College classes

Red=Required Blue=Recommended Black=Optional

College College Connection Connection Activity Grid Activity Grid SampleSample

Activity Date Time LocationEquipment

Communication San Marcos HS Contact(*Lead Contact)Name@san-marcos.isd.tenet.edu

ACC Contact(*Lead Contact)Name@austincc.edu

Signature Letter of Release

August 15-26, 2005

Biolerplate letter

•Letters to parents contest

*Cecily MooreCecily.moore

*Linda KluckLkluck

For all Seniors:-Access to College-Getting Started-Financial Aid-Career Planning

September 8, 2005

9:45-11:15 a.m.

SMHS Auditorium and Library

•Notice in parent newsletter•Notice on high school website

*Cecily MooreCecily.moore

*George ReyesReyAmy KochAkoch

Admissions Application

Make-Up Day

Sept 14, 2005

Sept 28, 2005

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

San Marcos HS Library 60 computers

•Intercom announcements•Notice to faculty

*Cecily MooreCecily.moore

*Amy KochAkoch

ASSET Assessment (paper and pencil)

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 MooreCecily.moore

*Amy KochAkoch

Financial Aid Information Night

Feb. 15, 2006

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

San Marcos HS LibraryUse incentives for kids to attend

Information sheet disseminated to students @ school & via web site

*Cecily MooreCecily.moore

*Terry BazanTbazan@austincc.edu

San Marcos Lead: Chad Kelly, 512-393-6800, chad.kelly@smcisd.net Senior Count: 424 (SMHS)Cecily Moore, 512-393-6800, cecily.moore@smcisd.net 16 (Pride HS) ACC Lead: Mary Hensley, 223-7618, mhensley@austincc.edu/Luanne Preston, 223-7355, luanne@austincc.eduAdmin. Assistant: Esther Buzard, 223-7618, ebuzard@austincc.edu/Charlene Washington, 223-7353, cwash@austincc.edu

SHADE/BOLD – Required College Connection Activities

School Districts School Districts Participating in the Participating in the College Connection College Connection Program 2004-2005Program 2004-2005

2003-2004 (Year 1)

San Marcos ISD

2004-2005 (Year 2)

Austin ISD

Bastrop ISD

Del Valle ISD

Leander ISD

San Marcos CISD

2005-2006 (Year 3)

Austin ISD

Bastrop ISD

Del Valle ISD

Hays CISD

Leander ISD

Manor ISD

Pflugerville ISD

San Marcos ISD

School Districts School Districts Participating in the Participating in the College Connection College Connection Program 2005-2006Program 2005-2006

School District Number of Seniors

Austin ISD 4,488

Bastrop ISD 513

Del Valle ISD 512

Hays CISD 620

Leander ISD 1,245

Manor ISD 214

Pflugerville ISD 1,120

San Marcos CISD 440

Total 9,152

Other Community Other Community Colleges Adopting Colleges Adopting College Connection College Connection ProgramProgram• Coastal Bend Community College

• Del Mar Community College

• Houston Community College

• Temple Community College

• Victoria Community College

““Closing the Gaps” Closing the Gaps” BackgroundBackground

“The community college’s role in the goal of participation is absolutely vital. We talk about students who come directly from high school into higher education, and while the numbers are going up, we are not attracting a significant increase in the pool. That’s one of the areas that we’re going to have to spend some real effort – in encouraging students who complete high school to continue on with higher education and the Connections Program that has been talked about already today is absolutely the way that it needs to happen all across the state to change.”Dr. Glenda BarronAssistant Commissioner, Community and Technical Colleges DivisionTexas Higher Education Coordinating BoardJanuary 7, 2005

“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 ParedesCommissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating BoardJanuary 6, 2005

““The state must look forThe state must look for successful programs with successful programs with statewide potential, such as ACC’s statewide potential, such as ACC’s College Connection program, in College Connection program, in which seniors in participating high which seniors in participating high schools are given help with schools are given help with financial aid forms and required to financial aid forms and required to fill out applications.”fill out applications.”

--Raymond Paredes--Raymond ParedesState Higher Education CommissionerState Higher Education CommissionerAustin American StatesmanAustin American Statesman, April 16, 2006, April 16, 2006

College College ConnectionConnection

ResultsResults

The College Connection Program The College Connection Program Works!Works!

District Students Not Located in Texas

Higher EducationFall 20031

Students Not Located in

Texas Higher Education Fall

20042

Students Not Located in

Texas Higher Education Fall 20053

% Increase of

students Located in

Higher Education

San Marcos 273 66% 219 55% 234 59% 7 %Austin 2,155 56% 2,066 56% 2,005 54% 2 %Bastrop 286 69% 234 57% 239 54% 15 %Del Valle 293 77% 312 80% 236 66% 11 %Leander 444 48% 459 48% 422 42% 6 %

Districts Initiating the College Connection Program in Fall 2005Hays 281 57% 311 57% 290 55% 2 %Manor 51 57% 74 57% 87 62% -5 %Pflugerville 407 44% 470 49% 404 43% 1 %

Blue=Year after College Connection started1-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

College Connection College Connection Results for Austin Results for Austin Community College-Community College-Fall 2005Fall 2005• Positive effect on fall enrollments

• 37.6% increase in enrollment from College Connection High Schools from Fall ’04 to Fall ’05

• Positive effect on Early College Start enrollments• 25.6% increase in enrollment from Fall ’04 to Fall ’05

• Positive effect on Tech Prep enrollments• 647% increase in number of students receiving Tech

Prep credit from Fall ’04 to Fall ’05

The College The College ConnectionConnectionWeb SiteWeb Site

• Information in English and Spanish

• Information for parents

• Information for students

• Information for school district personnel

• Calendars

• Links to pertinent Austin Community College

sites

www.austincc.edu/isd

College College ConnectionConnectionAssessmentAssessment

College Connection and College Connection and the Texas Success the Texas Success InitiativeInitiative• State of Texas requires all students

entering college to demonstrate college-readiness in reading, writing, and mathematics by standardized test scores or by exemption.

• Students who don’t meet the college-ready cut scores or exemption scores must take developmental classes.

College Connection College Connection TestingTesting• State-approved testing instruments are

COMPASS, ASSET, THEA, ACCUPLACER.

• Free state-approved testing is a required College Connection activity for students who need to establish college-readiness.

College Connection College Connection TestingTesting• College Connection will serve approximately

9,000 students in 2005-2006.

• ACC generally tests about 50% of College Connection participants on at least one skill section.

• ACC uses ASSET on high school campuses because the format allows the quick testing of large numbers of students.

College Connection College Connection TestingTesting• ASSET is an excellent instrument for

accommodating students with disabilities.

• Assessment, or presentation of exemption scores, is a required part of the ACC admissions process.

• ACC uses ASSET and COMPASS scores for correct college-level or developmental course placement.

COMPASS PilotCOMPASS Pilot

COMPASS AdvantagesCOMPASS Advantages

• Lower cost = more participants• Immediate scoring• Score interpretation to students• Printed score report• Shorter testing time• Appealing to students• Make-up testing for absent students• Retesting in single subject areas

COMPASS Pilot COMPASS Pilot OverviewOverview• Feasibility pilot

• Pilot conducted at San Marcos High School in October 2005

• Purpose was to define implementation issues and identify solutions to any problems encountered

• Sought to answer the question “Can it be done?”

Preparatory PlanningPreparatory Planning

• Inter-departmental coordination at the college:• Assessment Specialists (test proctors)• Instructional and Information Technology

Staff (technical support)• College Connection Staff (ACC liaison to

area High Schools).

• Committee meeting called between staff from each of the above areas to define task assignment and a timeline, share prior COMPASS testing experiences, and express any related concerns about the pilot.

Results of the PilotResults of the Pilot

• Feasibility confirmed• 8 participants successfully took the test

and obtained a placement printout. • All test components used including e-

Write

• Issues Addressed: • Software and Client Installation• Server-Side Setup• Assessment Configuration

Software and Client Software and Client IssuesIssues

• Changes requiring administrative privileges on the High School computer stations:

• Internet Explorer security settings, software installation and registration of each workstation with ACT network

• Conflict with filtering and classroom management software on the workstations

• Variability in workstation setup• Windows updates and network cabling

Software and Client Software and Client SolutionsSolutionsImplementation strategies

• Coordination with High School Technology Staff to obtain administrative privileges on the computers.

• Plan for sufficient lead time to install software and work out any unforeseen problems

• Burn software to CDs to minimize download times

• Randomization of test items allows for use of all workstations so there is no need to stagger students.

Server-side SetupServer-side Setup

• Assessments are hosted on ACT servers

• Requires some computer literacy and troubleshooting skills

• Assessment configuration details need to be verified in four major areas; site definitions, proctor logins, assessment creations and placement criteria.

• Site and security recommendations• Create a site for each physical location• Deactivate sites when not in use• Restrict which staff logins can proctor at

each site

Assessment Assessment ConfigurationConfiguration

Assessment Assessment ConfigurationConfiguration• Test Packages

• ACC imported preexisting assessments from Windows 3.2 version

• E-write errors were resolved by creating these from scratch once we determined that they could not be migrated from the previous version.

• Score Report format• Set to print upon completion of test• Includes ACC placement information

Assessment Assessment ConfigurationConfiguration• Uncheck SSR file option (Single Student

Record)

• Student Privacy

Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations

• Calculate student to computer ratio carefully and plan to allow for 4 hours for each student to take the test.

• Special meal arrangements had to be made, as testing times conflicted with student lunch schedules.

Future DirectionsFuture Directions

• ACC will continue to expand the College Connection program to additional school districts in 2006-2007.

• In order to begin receiving the benefits of computerized testing, ACC is moving forward with a full scale implementation of the Internet version of COMPASS at those high schools which have sufficient number of computers.

For a copy of this For a copy of this presentationpresentation• http://www.austincc.edu/isd/

act/042006Presentation.ppt

Questions and Questions and AnswersAnswers