Mapping our Connections GIS as a Partnership: Flour Bluff I.S.D. Del Mar College Texas A & M University— Corpus Christi

2 Why Partner? Bringing all entities together into a cohesive educational environment Helping ensure the effective and efficient transition of students Supporting students in knowing their options

Importance of Partnership Need to meet industry standard expectations— seek opportunities to offer national level certifications Involve business and government so they support the program and can offer insight to the skills expected Each partner should have an area of expertise to lend to the success of the program Ensure curriculum, goals and objectives match up 3

The Importance of Articulation Help students know they can accomplish post- secondary education Save money Explore their interests early Common economic benefit Avoid wasting time Brings entities together to ensure effective and efficient transition without duplication, holes/gaps, etc. 4

Communicating the Message Talk frequently with parents, students, businesses, community organizations about the opportunities these programs create Begin talking about the opportunities early—at least by 6 th grade Help students visualize what the program can help them achieve One clear voice, one clear message Ensure all your people are on board, understand the message and have common language to communicate the message 5

Flour Bluff I.S.D. (6 years) Flour Bluff I.S.D (Initiated in Spring 2002): –GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (Innovative Course--TEA) –GIS II: Spatial Technology and Remote Sensing Systems--S.T.A.R.S. (Innovative Course--TEA) –GIS III: Spatial Projects and Community Exchange Lab--S.P.A.C.E. (Innovative Course-- TEA) –Expanded course content into other academic courses, i.e. Social Studies, Mathematics, Science –ESRI-approved curriculum through Digital Quest, Eddie Hanbuth—based at NASA—Stennis Airforce Base, Gulfport, Mississippi 6

Flour Bluff I.S.D. Continued Utilize Arcview and Geodysy Software Utilize national census data, aerial images of Nueces County and satellite images Year 1: Students explore use of software, become familiar with census data and use of pictorial images. Year 2: Students select a school-based project to improve services. Year 3: Students select a community mentor, i.e. and engineer and propose a community-based project to improve services. CISCO Local Academy (training for faculty) ESRI Training through Digital Quest each summer for faculty. Development of TEKS with TEA—now approved statewide and have an avenue for Technology Applications credit 7

Del Mar College Dr. Phil Davis, Del Mar College Initiated GIS-TEK Project and Obtained NSF Funding to support: –Track 1--Development of 3 new GIS Courses –Track 2—Building GIS Awareness and Training Capacity in Secondary Schools –Track 3—Development of new K-16 articulation models for schools, colleges and universities Advisory Committee involving FBISD, CCISD, Del Mar College, TAMUCC, ESRI, Business, etc. 8

Texas A & M University—Corpus Christi Dr. Gary Jeffress, Professor, Geomatics and Surveying Program –4-Year Bachelor Degree –One of first in the nation –Draws students from Del Mar College and FBISD and other school districts –Focus of the program is on preparing engineers who help develop GIS software/applications, surveyors, etc. 9

Joint Efforts Developed Tech-Prep articulation agreement and now we have DUAL CREDIT! Reviewed and aligned FBISD and Del Mar GIS course competencies Worked to accomplish change through Texas Education Agency to allow GIS as a recognized Technology Application credit course—currently state elective credit only 10

Joint Efforts There is some loss of credit between the Associate and Bachelor degrees Graduation requirements between Del Mar and TAMUCC differ The desire is to create a no-loss credit program between Del Mar and TAMUCC There needs to be a way to track the progress of students at FBISD, Del Mar and TAMUCC 11

Hurdles State funding is based on program completion—community colleges lose some indication of success, if students transfer before completing the Associate Degree Universities do not earn funding for the undergraduate courses, if taken at the community college 12

Hurdles Getting TEA to recognize the benefit of GIS as a Technology Application course (GIS I) Finding ways to make room in a student’s schedule and graduation requirements to take GIS I, II and III based on the new 4X4 requirements and required 26 graduation credits 13

Benefits Students can walk away with industry level certifications Students have exposure to the industry at an early age Students have a clear pathway from secondary through post-secondary The industry has a trained workforce and the economy benefits 14

Questions? Dr. Audra Ude, Assistant Superintendent Flour Bluff I.S.D. (361) or Dr. Phil Davis, Del Mar College Dr. Gary Jeffress, Texas A & M University—Corpus Christi 15