creating a college going culture at any campus ………. by pilar janis, lead & higher...
TRANSCRIPT
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 [email protected]
Lead & Higher Education Counselor – Pilar Janis [email protected]
Administrative Assistant – Dora Fernandez [email protected]
Secretary – Dahlia Gamez [email protected]