1. College Connection Dripping Springs Independent School District August 16, 2007

2. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Strategic Plan “Closing the Gaps” Overview

3. Closing the Gaps in Participation 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. Austin Community College expects 15,000 more students by 2015.

4. Education Beyond High School Increases earning potential and employment opportunities U.S. Department of Education

5. Learn to Earn Source: Postsecondary Education OPPORTUNITY

6. College Connection Overview

7. Improving High School to College Transitions Provide admission and pre-enrollment services to seniors on their high 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.

8. Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006 Austin Community College District Service Area College 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 http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF School District Total High School Graduates Students Enrolled in Texas Universities Students Enrolled in Texas 2-year Colleges Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education * Austin3,8561,11129%73719%2,00852% Bastrop46010523%7316%28261% Blanco763647%1317%2736% Coupland** Del Valle 3193210%5818%22972% Doss** Dripping Springs 2409540%6226%8335% Eanes55528050%5911%21639% Elgin1694527%2917%9556% Fredericksburg2278839%3315%10647%

9. Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006 Austin Community College District Service Area College Transition Rates School District Total High School Graduates Students Enrolled in Texas Universities Students Enrolled in Texas 2-year Colleges Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education * Georgetown51921441%9819%20740% Harper462963%37%1430% Hays55917732%9617%28651% Jarrell441432%818%2250% Johnson City 451636%613%2351% Lago Vista 733244%2129%2027% Lake Travis 31814445%6219%11235% Leander1,05237135%26325%41840% Liberty Hill 1204638%2420%5042% Lockhart2196228%3616%12155% *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 http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF

10. Texas High School Graduates from FY 2006 Enrolled in Texas Higher Education Fall 2006 Austin Community College District Service Area College Transition Rates School District Total High School Graduates Students Enrolled in Texas Universities Students Enrolled in Texas 2-year Colleges Students Not Located in Texas Higher Education * Luling872428%910%5462% Manor1312620%1612%8968% McDade** Nixon Smiley 651218%914%4468% Pflugerville96431933%23424%41143% Prairie Lea** Round Rock 2,15876535%37317%1,02047% San Marcos 4489822%5613%29466% Smithville1253125%2822%6653% Wimberley1464430%4531%5739% Total13,0214,21632%2,45119%6,35449% *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 http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF

11. College Connection Program Many high school students find the college enrollment process intimidating. Austin Community College District 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 District.

12. Students Receive Services at the High School: Required Admission application ASSET or COMPASS Pre-advising Academic advising Graduation letter Optional Student life info Teleconference Campus tours Registration Other Recommended Senior presentation Financial aid application

13. Lifetime Acceptance Application never discarded Provide a permanent college home Students come to ACC District ▫In summer for transfer ▫After military service ▫After career changes ▫Co-enroll while attending 4-year institution Cohorts can be tracked by semester of entry; ACC District collects longitudinal data for retention, completion and success

14. Connection School Districts College Connection School Districts 2003-04 Year 1 San Marcos 2004-05 Year 2 Austin Bastrop Del Valle Leander San Marcos 2005-06 Year 3 Austin Bastrop Del Valle Hays Leander Manor Pflugerville San Marcos 2006-07 Year 4 Austin Bastrop Blanco Del Valle Elgin Fredericksburg Harper Hays Jarrell Johnson City Lago Vista Leander Liberty Hill Lockhart Luling Manor Nixon-Smiley Pflugerville Prairie Lea Round Rock San Marcos Smithville 2007-08 Year 5 Austin Bastrop Blanco Del Valle Dripping Springs Eanes Elgin Fredericksburg Georgetown Harper Hays Jarrell Johnson City Lago Vista Lake Travis Leander Liberty Hill Lockhart Luling Manor Nixon-Smiley Pflugerville Prairie Lea Round Rock San Marcos Smithville Wimberley

15. “ The state must look for successful programs with statewide potential, such as ACCs College Connection program, in which seniors in participating high schools are given help with financial aid forms and required to fill out applications.” Raymond Paredes State Higher Education Commissioner Austin American Statesman, April 16, 2006

16. College Connection Program National Acclaim & Recognition

17. Awards Received THECB Star Award Award Recipient November 2006 Excelencia in Education Award Semi-Finalist October 2006 Bellwether Award Award Recipient January 2007

18. The College Connection Web Site Information for parents Information for students Information for school district personnel Calendars Links to pertinent Austin Community College sites www.austincc.edu/isd

19. Directory Educational Choices Educational Choices Costs & Financial Aid Student Support Library Locations Get Answers Costs & Financial Aid Student Support Library Locations Get Answers A C H o m eA C C H o m e » C ol le ge C on ne cti on at A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge College Connection receives state and national recognition and awards: T e x a s H ig h e r E d u c a ti o n C o o r d i n a ti n g B o a r d 's S T A R A w a r d C o m m u n it y C ol le g e F u t u r e s A ss e m b ly B el l w et h e r A w a r d F i n al is t E x c el e n ci a i n E d u c a ti o n S e m if i n al is t Graduating seniors in Austin, Bastrop, Blanco, Del Valle, Elgin, Fredericksburg, Harper, Hays, Jarrell, Johnson City, Lago Vista, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lockhart, Luling, Manor, Nixon-Smiley, Pflugerville, Prairie Lea, Round Rock, San Marcos, and Smithville ISDs will now receive two sources of recognition when they walk across the stage to graduate: a diploma and an acceptance letter to college. This is due to a new, nationally recognized program called College Connection. Through the College Connection program, ACC will provide hands-on, one-on-one support to assist every student through each step of the college admissions process. College Connection will help increase the number of graduating seniors who enter college by creating an awareness of the benefits of going to college. Bringing this unique partnership to the community is an important step toward student success. By working together to “close the gap,” we can help improve the quality of life in Central Texas…one student at a time. "Suddenly, (going to college) changes from being a possibility to an expectation." -Raymund Paredes, Texas Higher Education Commissioner W eb m as te rW eb m as te r Di re ct or y C op yr ig ht L eg al N ot ic es A bo ut A C C C on ta ct A C C A C C H o m e L as t m od ifi ed : D ec e m be r 14 20 06 @ 3: 22 p m | A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge Di str ict A us ti n, T X Di re ct or y C op yr ig ht L eg al N ot ic es A bo ut A C on ta ct A C A C H o m e F ut u re S tu d e nt s F ut u re S tu d e nt s C u rr e nt S tu d e nt s F a c ul ty a n d S ta ff C o m m u ni ty a n d B u si n e ss N e w sr o o m A - Z I n d e x C u rr e nt S tu d e nt s F a c ul ty a n d S ta ff C o m u ni ty a n d B u si n e ss N e w sr o m A - Z I n d e x College Connection at Austin Community CollegeCollege Connection at Austin Community College A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge 59 30 M id dl e Fi sk vi lle R d. A us ti n, Te xa s 78 75 2- 43 90 51 2. 22 3. 4 A C C (4 22 2) Apply Apply Schedule Register Schedule Register B la c k b o ar d L o gi nB la c k b o ar d L o gi n A C C 1 0 1A C 1 0 1 A C C A li v e T el et o u rA C A li v e T el et o u r T O P C A TT O P C A T E n E s p a ñ olE n E s p a ñ ol C ol le g e C o n n e ct io n H o m eC ol le g e C o n e ct io n H o m e S c h o ol D is tr ic ts P ar ti ci p at in g in C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nS c h o ol D is tr ic ts P ar ti ci p at in g in C ol le g e C o n e ct io n S te p s to C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nS te p s to C ol le g e C o n e ct io n A b o ut C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nA b o ut C ol le g e C o n e ct io n W h y C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nW h y C ol le g e C o n e ct io n A C C 's R ol e in C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nA C 's R ol e in C ol le g e C o n e ct io n W h at S tu d e nt s G etW h at S tu d e nt s G et A C C D e p ar t m e nt s in v ol v e d in C ol le g e C o nnectionA C D e p ar t m e nt s in v ol v e d in C ol le g e C o n ectionCollegeConnectionIntheNewsCollegeCon ectionIntheNewsACCCentersAC entersACCWeblinksAC WeblinksMobileGoCenterMobileGoCenter Welcome to College Connection Luanne Preston, Ph.D Executive Director, Early College Start and College Connections Austin Community College 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX 78752 (512) 223-7354 (512) 223-7895 (fax) luanne@austincc.edu Mary Hensley, Ed.D Vice President, College Support Systems and ISD Relations Austin Community College 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX 78752 (512) 223-7618 (512) 223-7895 (fax) mhensley@austincc.e du For additional information about ACC's College Connection Program, please contact Directory Educational Choices Educational Choices Costs & Financial Aid Student Support Library Locations Get Answers Costs & Financial Aid Student Support Library Locations Get Answers A C H o m eA C C H o m e » C ol le ge C on ne cti on at A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge College Connection receives state and national recognition and awards: T e x a s H ig h e r E d u c a ti o n C o o r d i n a ti n g B o a r d 's S T A R A w a r d C o m m u n it y C ol le g e F u t u r e s A ss e m b ly B el l w et h e r A w a r d F i n al is t E x c el e n ci a i n E d u c a ti o n S e m if i n al is t Graduating seniors in Austin, Bastrop, Blanco, Del Valle, Elgin, Fredericksburg, Harper, Hays, Jarrell, Johnson City, Lago Vista, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lockhart, Luling, Manor, Nixon-Smiley, Pflugerville, Prairie Lea, Round Rock, San Marcos, and Smithville ISDs will now receive two sources of recognition when they walk across the stage to graduate: a diploma and an acceptance letter to college. This is due to a new, nationally recognized program called College Connection. Through the College Connection program, ACC will provide hands-on, one-on-one support to assist every student through each step of the college admissions process. College Connection will help increase the number of graduating seniors who enter college by creating an awareness of the benefits of going to college. Bringing this unique partnership to the community is an important step toward student success. By working together to “close the gap,” we can help improve the quality of life in Central Texas…one student at a time. "Suddenly, (going to college) changes from being a possibility to an expectation." -Raymund Paredes, Texas Higher Education Commissioner W eb m as te rW eb m as te r Di re ct or y C op yr ig ht L eg al N ot ic es A bo ut A C C C on ta ct A C C A C C H o m e L as t m od ifi ed : D ec e m be r 14 20 06 @ 3: 22 p m | A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge Di str ict A us ti n, T X Di re ct or y C op yr ig ht L eg al N ot ic es A bo ut A C on ta ct A C A C H o m e F ut u re S tu d e nt s F ut u re S tu d e nt s C u rr e nt S tu d e nt s F a c ul ty a n d S ta ff C o m m u ni ty a n d B u si n e ss N e w sr o o m A - Z I n d e x C u rr e nt S tu d e nt s F a c ul ty a n d S ta ff C o m u ni ty a n d B u si n e ss N e w sr o m A - Z I n d e x College Connection at Austin Community CollegeCollege Connection at Austin Community College A us ti n C o m m un it y C ol le ge 59 30 M id dl e Fi sk vi lle R d. A us ti n, Te xa s 78 75 2- 43 90 51 2. 22 3. 4 A C C (4 22 2) Apply Apply Schedule Register Schedule Register B la c k b o ar d L o gi nB la c k b o ar d L o gi n A C C 1 0 1A C 1 0 1 A C C A li v e T el et o u rA C A li v e T el et o u r T O P C A TT O P C A T E n E s p a ñ olE n E s p a ñ ol C ol le g e C o n n e ct io n H o m eC ol le g e C o n e ct io n H o m e S c h o ol D is tr ic ts P ar ti ci p at in g in C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nS c h o ol D is tr ic ts P ar ti ci p at in g in C ol le g e C o n e ct io n S te p s to C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nS te p s to C ol le g e C o n e ct io n A b o ut C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nA b o ut C ol le g e C o n e ct io n W h y C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nW h y C ol le g e C o n e ct io n A C C 's R ol e in C ol le g e C o n n e ct io nA C 's R ol e in C ol le g e C o n e ct io n W h at S tu d e nt s G etW h at S tu d e nt s G et A C C D e p ar t m e nt s in v ol v e d in C ol le g e C o nnectionA C D e p ar t m e nt s in v ol v e d in C ol le g e C o n ectionCollegeConnectionIntheNewsCollegeCon ectionIntheNewsACCCentersAC entersACCWeblinksAC WeblinksMobileGoCenterMobileGoCenter Welcome to College Connection Luanne Preston, Ph.D Executive Director, Early College Start and College Connections Austin Community College 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX 78752 (512) 223-7354 (512) 223-7895 (fax) luanne@austincc.edu Mary Hensley, Ed.D Vice President, College Support Systems and ISD Relations Austin Community College 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX 78752 (512) 223-7618 (512) 223-7895 (fax) mhensley@austincc.e du For additional information about ACC's College Connection Program, please contact

20. Austin Community College welcomes Dripping Springs ISD into the College Connection Program Dripping Springs Independent School District

21. Mary Hensley Austin Community College Vice President College Support Systems and ISD Relations 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin, TX 78754 Office: (512) 223-7618 Fax: (512) 223-7895 mhensley@austincc.edu

22. For a copy of this presentation: www.austincc.edu/isd/dripping_springs_isd/081607Presentation.ppt