Helping minds succeed

ECISD, UTPB develop a relationship to work on college readiness

Odessa American

A couple of educational leaders in Odessa are hoping unity will help prepare Odessa students for college readiness.

Watts approached Mendez at a Council of Governments meeting not long after Mendez took office and asked Mendez what could he do to help him, Mendez said.

The two educational leaders now meet once a month for coffee and discuss items they want to work on or are currently working on. Out of these meetings developed a professional friendship and ideas were born, Mendez said. Even though most of these programs are still in the conceptual phase, one's in the running.

Mendez said he hopes that ECISD will receive an Early College High School Grant, which would increase the rigor of the high school program. After filling out an application the size of a novel, ECISD now waits to hear word in August if they will receive the grant. If they do, Mendez and Watts will be working together closely.

This program would begin in the freshman year with the "planning phase," which counsels students on how to apply for college, fill out free application for student aid - FAFSA - forms, and receive tutoring from college-level students. It would also allow students to take college classes their freshman year of high school.

WHO BENEFITS?

The program targets traditionally underserved students. The point of the program is to find "creative ways to align and connect high school and college experiences, and provide academic and social supports," according to a news release from the Texas Education Agency.

In 2007, 64.4 percent of UTPB's student body were first generation college students.

Ed Mills, dean of the UTPB department of education, said a lot of these initiatives are still in the conceptual phase; however, ECISD and UTPB continue to work together to develop a change in culture and people's self-concept.

"West Texas has a weak college-going culture," Mills said. The new initiative should get to the root of the problem, Mills said.

Watts said in addition to culture, high schools in the Permian Basin region haven't adequately prepared students for university-level work in the past. This program would address the problem.

"It would help them aspire to go to college," Watts said.

Mendez also said he'd like to establish a learning environment suitable and conducive for the students where they can be inspired, and the university atmosphere would be a good choice. The Texas Education Act supports this in their application requirements.

ECISD would benefit from this program, as well, Mendez said.

 "A fourth of students who enter a four-year college, and a half of those who enter a two-year college, never return for their second year," a study done by the federal Department of Education said.

The same study said program like this increase high school rigor, which "raises motivation and achievement levels" because it prevents boredom.

This is one of several initiatives from P-16 - pre-kindergarten through senior level of college - that UTPB and ECISD have and will work on.

"We're about to hire a full-time coordinator to direct P-16," Mendez said. 

BENEFITS

>> Lower college costs for students and their families.

>> Accelerated progress toward a degree.

>> Increased aspirations to attend college.

>> Increased academic opportunities for students from small or rural high schools.

>> Reduce the demand for space on high school campuses that may be at or near capacity.

>> Closer ties between colleges and their communities.

SOURCE: Based on case studies done college and high school campuses collected by the CNA Corp.