Thanks to the growing number of college readiness programs in districts around the state, many Texas schoolchildren have their sights set on higher education from the moment they begin their academic careers. Traditionally, educators have made the big push toward college once students reach high school, but now kids of all ages are getting the message.

“We believe in planting the seeds of college as early as possible,” says Dolly Adams, director for advanced academics in Comal ISD. “At the elementary level, we keep the thought of college in the minds of students in many ways. Our schools participate in college and career days, and our teachers display college memorabilia and their diplomas in their classrooms. Our teachers are constantly bringing in guest speakers to encourage students to pursue college and career options.”

Comal ISD and The University of Texas at Austin have formed a partnership in which kindergarten through 12th grade students and their parents can attend “Open House Saturdays.” The program allows students to participate in university-led activities hosted by professors and college students.

“This program continues to grow and capture students’ interests,” Adams says. “Last year, a second grade student told her mom, ‘There is finally someone that understands me,’ after that child spent some time with a professor of paleontology.”

Gardens Elementary in Pasadena ISD welcomes mentors and guests who emphasize the importance of college to the students. The mentors include college students and members of the local business community.

“We believe that it is never too early to begin the conversations about college,” says Vicki Lenio, Gardens Elementary assistant principal. “The more you expose these kids to what college is all about and continue repeating that message, the more it will sink in. Having mentors who are around our school all the time is a big encouragement to the kids, and it keeps them interested in thoughts of college.”

Pasadena ISD’s College Night, in which participants can interact with and ask questions of college and university representatives, continues to grow every year. The district of 52,000 students had 130 colleges participating in this year’s event.

Innovative programs

As educators work to capture students’ attention about college at the elementary level, they are adding substance to the curriculum at the secondary levels to reinforce that excitement.

In Galena Park ISD, the district has created a Scholar’s Academy for students in sixth through ninth grades. Students for this program are identified at the end of fifth grade based on commended performance on both their reading and math results on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills.

“These students are provided additional opportunities and activities in fine arts, leadership, college preparation and community service,” says Elizabeth Lalor, director of compliance for college and career preparation.

In a course called Career Connections, Comal ISD has students create a road map for the future, starting in seventh grade. The course provides students with opportunities to explore areas of interest and find out how they can begin planning for high school and college. The students create a plan that includes courses that they will need to take in eighth through 12th grades to be accepted to the college or career pathway of their choice.

“This course helps give the students the direction they need to help make college a reality,” Adams says.

Another program in which some Texas districts are involved includes the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) initiative. GEAR UP is a six-year federal program supporting partnerships among school districts, post-secondary institutions, parents, and businesses and community groups working to increase support for students and educators. Currently, 19 GEAR UP projects across the state serve almost 55,000 students on 170 campuses in 89 districts.

Getting a head start

Students in high schools throughout Texas are able to get a head start on college-level work by taking pre-advanced placement and advanced placement classes. However, some districts are helping students get a bigger jump on their college education through partnerships with area colleges.

Recently, Clear Creek ISD formed a partnership with College of the Mainland in Texas City. Through the unique relationship, any Clear Creek ISD student may take college-level courses at College of the Mainland. They may choose to take one class or every class at the college and then return to their high schools to participate in extra-curricular activities.

Clear Creek ISD also offers a similar program through San Jacinto College’s south campus.

“These programs are designed for mature high school students who are ready for the academic challenge of being a full-time student,” says Suzanne Thomas, the district’s director of student services. She also notes that many students in the program receive associate’s degrees while in the program.

The early college high school program appears to be catching on in other districts. Goose Creek CISD in Baytown will forge a partnership with Lee College to begin such a program next year.

“We want to do everything we can to help students achieve the goals of a higher education,” says Superintendent Toby York.

Messages make ‘lasting impact’

South Houston High School 2009 graduate and valedictorian Yesenia Guzman says her teachers in elementary through high school always stressed college education. She says what she learned help shape her future.

“All of the career days and everything that was shared with us really made a lasting impact on me,” the St. Mary’s University freshman says. “It made me believe that attending college was well within my reach if I worked hard and set my goals high.”

Guzman is setting her sights high, indeed. She plans to earn her degree in education and teaching in the classroom. Her long-term goals are to become an elementary principal and then a superintendent of schools.

“I believe if you dream — dream big. And then make those dreams happen,” she says.

MARK KRAMER is a contributing writer for Texas School Business.