BISD Focuses on the Next Step after Graduation
In an initiative called P-16 Partnership for Post Secondary Readiness, Participation & Success for ALL Students that began during the 2007-08 school year, the wheels are already in motion for the 2008-09 school year. With a successful and exciting first year, P-16 Coordinator Marissa Graham is looking forward to the upcoming year.
“This initiative is the way of the future. Jobs that used to only require a high school diploma, are now requiring additional workforce training including a college degree. The P-16 partnership will help students make continuing on to college a real possibility upon graduation from high school,” said Marissa Graham.
Graham, who was hired in August 2007, filled a position within Bastrop ISD that many districts across Central Texas are now acquiring. Austin ISD has Project ADVANCE Coordinators at each high school, Manor employs a College Readiness Coordinator and at many schools, the counselors take on the role of “college navigator.”
With this initiative, it’s important to get the information out to parents and community members so that the whole community can embrace this way of thinking. During the 2007-08 school year, under the direction of Graham and district administrators, the following events took place:
- B.E.S.T. College Night – featured 46 higher education institutions and military branches
- Satellite Career Center at Cedar Creek Middle School
- FAFSA Saturdays – free help to students filling out financial aid paperwork
- College Day – all Bastrop Middle School students visited UT or Texas State
- Parent Information Sessions
- Visits to classrooms to talk about options after high school graduation
- College Reps visit BHS
- BHS offers dual credit and advanced placement classes
- SAT/ACT testing site beginning in fall 2008
Statistics show that people who go on to earn a degree have increased salary benefits, are usually healthier, have career mobility, longer employment and an overall better quality of life.
“The students in Central Texas have the option of attending a variety of different institutions in this area. There’s a campus for everyone. And you don’t have to be a straight “A” student or be a star athlete to get in or fit in,” said Graham.
At the end of the 2007-08 school year, about 230 BHS seniors had submitted at least one application to a Texas public college or university. This number does not take in account Texas private schools or community colleges such as Austin Community College (ACC).
BISD has also partnered with ACC’s College Connection program that assists students in filling out the required paperwork to be accepted to ACC upon graduation from high school. Approximately 97% of graduating seniors took advantage of the opportunity and received acceptance letters during the high school commencement ceremony. ACC counselors also assist students with advising periods and help with the “next step” after being accepted such as financial aid and career planning.
“The whole goal of the P-16 initiative is to get the K-12 and higher education/business community to partner together to help students successfully enter college or the workforce upon graduation from high school. Ultimately, we want to create a citizen that will benefit the economic and business development of our community,” said Graham.
For more information, contact Marissa Graham at (512) 332-0971 or mgraham@bastrop.isd.tenet.edu.