Role of ACC in Georgetown Community - A Vital Resource for Economic Development

1. 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 YouACC 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 YouACC 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 Trends ACC: A Critical Resource

9. Alarming Education Trends ACC: A Critical Resource • 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

10. Alarming Education Trends ACC: A Critical Resource • 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 Report U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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. 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 ACC District GoalsACC: Critical to Economic Development

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 EducationSupportin 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 presentation: www.austincc.edu/isd/georgetown/030707GeorgetownPresentation.ppt