ACC’s Role in the Georgetown Community

March 7, 2007

2

District Service AreaACC: A Critical Regional Resource

Black = In-district

Green = Out-of-District

3

Community College Facts Surprised?

Source: American Association of Community Colleges

4

ACC Facts Surprised?

ACC is the 8th largest community college in the United States.

ACC has 7 comprehensive campuses.

ACC also has 11 centers.

ACC has more than 33,482 credit students (fall).

ACC transfer students perform as well as or better than those who begin at a four-year college or university.

ACC’s tax rate has been changed only once, and is much lower than every Central Texas ISD, City, and County taxing authority.

More than 50% of those entering higher education begin at a community college.

5

A Strong, Regional ACC DistrictCritical for Economic Development

ACC offers degrees and certificates in 180 programs

Access programs for growing segments of the population Adult Basic Education for those not yet college-ready * Developmental Education *

Traditional role that leads to stronger 4-year institutions Transfer Education

ACC is No. 1 provider of transfer students to area 4-year institutions As ACC grows, so do 4-year colleges and universities

Workforce education for healthy communities* Primary trainer and retrainer of the local workforce Associate degree is fastest-growing workplace credential** Customized training for business and industry Continuing Education – lifelong learning

*State-mandated, unique role of community colleges** Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

6

Closing the GapsShould Scare You ACC Is The Best Public Solution

• Closing the Gaps is an economic development imperative – tied to education -- that impacts all of us.

• Texas projects huge population increases among minorities, whose college-going rate lags.

Texas needs an additional 630,000 people to enter higher education by 2015 if the state is to have a competitive workforce.

7

Closing the GapsShould Scare You ACC Is The Best Public Solution

• An uncompetitive, undereducated workforce:

• Makes lower salaries• Contributes less to local tax bases• Requires more social services

• ACC is: The higher education gateway for more than half of all

freshmen. The ONLY higher education option for those first needing

Adult or Developmental Education. The best public solution to Closing the Gaps challenges.

8

Population/Demographic TrendsACC: A Critical Resource

9

Estimates place more than 225,000 Central Texans at literacy levels below the threshold necessary to qualify for more than a minimum wage job.*

Approximately 40 percent of all public school students in Central Texas are classified as economically disadvantaged by the TEA

Approximately 35 percent of all public school students in Central Texas are classified as “At Risk” by the TEA

Texas SAT scores rank 47th in the nation

2006 TAKS Results White 79% pass African-American 45% pass Hispanic 52% pass

* Source: U.S. Census Bureau

** Does not include dropouts

Alarming Education TrendsACC: A Critical Resource

10

Texas leads the country in the income gap between upper- and middle-class families

The biggest cause of rising income inequality over the past 20 years has been the erosion of wages for the 70 percent of workers with less than a college education.

In Texas, 84 percent of children whose parents do not have a high school degree live in low-income families.

Growing inequality has costly consequences U.S. loses ~ $200 billion yearly in combined tax

and income revenue for each cohort that does not complete high school.

Health-related losses for 2004 dropouts totaled at least $58 billion.

Increasing high school completion rate by 1% could save U.S. up to $1.4 billion annually in reduced costs from crime. Sources: Austin American-Statesman

Center for Public Policy Priorities ReportU.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Alarming Education TrendsACC: A Critical Resource

11

ACC District GoalsACC: Critical to Economic Development

Meet Closing the Gaps Challenges Expand ACCESS to higher education and training Maintain AFFORDABILITY ($110 out-of-district vs.

$39 in-district per semester credit hour) Increase participation of minorities

Strengthen ISD initiatives

Promote Economic Development Strong business/industry partnerships Unique workforce education programs

12

ACC District GoalsACC: Critical to Economic Development

Promote regional role

Expand ACC resources Expand tax

base/annexations Expand ACC Foundation

Increase understanding of ACC Unique mission Access role for those not

yet college ready Quality of programs Success of ACC students

13

A Strong, Regional ACC Matters ACC: Critical to Economic Development

Local communities hire workers from throughout ACC’s Service Area

Absent a qualified workforce, business and industry will look elsewhere

Lower education levels = lower salaries Lower salaries = lower contributions to tax base Lower salaries = higher social service costs Increased social service costs, decreased tax base =

higher taxes Economic development matters to everyone – it is tied

to education

14

How to HelpACC: A Critical Resource

Promote Regional Understanding of ACC’s Value

Counter Stereotypes About Community Colleges

Expand Dialogue About Public Education and Public Funding

Support and Promote Fund Raising for ACC

Support Annexation Efforts

Support Regional K-16 Efforts

15

Partnership with Georgetown ISD

ACC Center at Georgetown High School

Early College Start

16

ACC Center at Georgetown High School

Evening classes open to the public

General education, lecture-based classes

Declining enrollments – need additional ways to promote

17

Early College Start at Georgetown High School

Model dual-credit program

ACC faculty teach classes during the day at GHS Students frequently graduate with 18-24 college credit hours Courses offered: U.S. History, U.S. Government, English

Composition and Literature, Economics, Psychology, College Algebra

Classes offered at GHS are free to high school students 2005-06 value to Georgetown community: $165,885

Fall 2006 GHS Enrollment = 147

Spring 2007 GHS Enrollment = 129 (preliminary)

18

Continuing EducationSupport in Georgetown

Account Executive assigned to the Georgetown area Served on Achieve Texas Committee for the Georgetown

Independent School District Member of the Rural Capital Area Workforce Board Recruits companies for grant applications Provides training solutions for business and industry Works with the Chamber of Commerce to provide training

classes when needed Karen Duncan – Customized Training Account Executive

512-223-7139

19

Want More Information?

Web: www.austincc.edu

Email: ceo@austincc.edu

Master Plan: www.austincc.edu/masterplan

20

Mary Hensley, Ed.D.

Austin Community CollegeVice President College Support

Systems and ISD Relations

5930 Middle Fiskville RoadAustin, TX 78754

(512) 223-7618(512) 223-7895 (fax)

mhensley@austincc.edu

21

For a copy of this For a copy of this presentation:presentation:

www.austincc.edu/isd/georgetown/030707GeorgetownPresentation.ppt