Creating a College Going Culture at any

Campus ……….By

Pilar Janis, Lead & Higher Education Counselor

At BISD•Creating and fostering a college going culture from K-12 is a district initiative

College is defined

• . …….not only as 4 year universities, but as 2 year junior colleges and technical colleges.

Please note that…………

• The BISD mission statement states that we will collectively and collaboratively produce graduates who can pursue higher educational opportunities by utilizing resources that provide equitable opportunities for all.

First Step- Believe and Envision

•To believe is to be confident that something is good and will be effective.

•To envision is to visualize that which is possible

How do we create?

• Best college awareness practices are happening all over this district at many campuses.

• We are at our best when we share and emulate the good in order to provide equal access for BISD students.

At some elementary schools ……

• College pendants are visibly displayed

• Principals incorporate collegiate facts as part of morning announcements.

• Hallways have become University Boulevards with colorful displays of information from different colleges.

• Students in Kinder and 1st grade discuss college mascots.

• Students learn about different technical career options.

• Classrooms and halls adopt a college.

• Field trips to local college are coordinated.

• Duke TIP program extended to 4th & 5th graders.

Vocabulary- essential component *Never too early to start

• ACT- college entrance test that measures English, Math, Social Studies, Science ability.

• Apply Texas- state application used to apply to 1 or more college with one app.

• Common Application- national application accepted by 300 colleges.

• Dual Enrollment- students receive both college and high school credit for a course.

• EFC- The amount of money the family is expected to contribute towards college expenses.

• FAFSA- (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a financial aid form.

• Financial Aid- money awarded to students to help pay college expenses.

• GO CENTERS- are at all high school campuses. Students can receive help with college, scholarship and financial aid applications.

• Grant- a type of financial aid that does not have to be repaid.

• Loan- a type of financial aid that must be repaid with interest.

• SAT- college entrance test that measures critical reading, math and writing ability.

• Scholarship- money awarded based on merit or on need that does not have to be repaid.

• TASFA- state financial aid form for undocumented students.

• TSI- (Texas Success Initiative) state test required before enrolling in any course for college credit.

At some middle schools…….

• University personnel are invited for classroom presentations.

• Career Days are held at various campuses.

• Collegiate banners displayed in halls and classrooms.

• Duke University TIP Program extended to qualified 7th grade students.

• Field trips to universities/colleges conducted.

• Student reports on colleges displayed in halls and classrooms.

• Students practice “Apply Texas” essays Topics A,B & C.

• Students announce college trivia in morning announcements.

• Classroom activities on college readiness conducted.

• SAT and ACT test prep is available for Duke TIP students who will present those exams.

• College T-Shirt Days are part of awareness campaign.

Apply Texas Essay Prompts

• Topic A- Describe a setting in which you have interacted with people whose experiences/beliefs differ from yours. Address your feelings and how they were or were not changed by this experience.

• Topic B- Describe a circumstance, obstacle or conflict and the skills/resources used to resolve it. Did it change you? If so, how?

• Topic C- Considering your lifetime goals, discuss how your current and future academic & extracurricular activities might help you achieve your goals.

*Word Limit- no more than 500 words

AT BISD High Schools

• Seniors/Juniors attend University Day and speak to 70 college reps.

• Counselors work with students individually on post-secondary plans.

• Mini College Fairs are held for all high school students.

• College planning sessions are held for Seniors and parents.

• Waivers given to students for SAT, ACT and TSI tests.

• Student assistance provided to complete college applications.

• Student assistance provided to complete the FAFSA form.

• University representatives visit/assist with collegiate plans.

• SAT and ACT Prep are offered.

• HB 1403 (undocumented) students are provided assistance with college processes.

At the District Level

• BISD University Day and BISD College & Financial Aid Night are sponsored by the Guidance and Counseling annually.

• “Writing the Perfect College Essay” is offered at different high school campuses.

• FAFSA Completion Nights are held at all high school campuses.

• The “Superintendent’s Golf Scholarship” has awarded $788,000 in scholarship dollars in the past twelve years.

• 2015 BISD graduates were offered over $46 million dollars in scholarship offers. 8 more than last year.

• Seniors/Graduating Juniors applied to colleges/universities in record numbers last year.

BISD Creates A College Going Culture Report – June 10, 2015

Name of High School

Apply Texas  % FAFSA Counts FAFSA  %

TASFA Counts

FAFSA/TASFA%

HANNA   

100% 410 83% 

14 

85%

PORTER 100% 275 74% 39 85%

PACE 100% 265 83% 42 96%

RIVERA 100% 359 83% 35 91%

LOPEZ 100% 323 89% 23 95%

VETERANS 100% 448 90% 9 92%

BECHS 100% 47 98% - -

Together at BISD we can…….

•make college dreams a reality for all students through collaborative efforts.

The Department of Guidance and Counseling

708 Palm Blvd.

CAB Suite 228

Phone #: 956-548-8251

Fax #: 956-548-8448

Interim Administrator – Robert Gonzalez rgg@bisd.us

Lead & Higher Education Counselor – Pilar Janis pilarjanis@bisd.us

Administrative Assistant – Dora Fernandez defernandez@bisd.us

Secretary – Dahlia Gamez djgamez@bisd.us