Texas TWO-STEP Project: Bridging the Gaps with Technical Education

1. Texas TWO-STEP Project: Bridging the Gaps with Technical Education Michele Padilla – Project Coordinator

2. Overview The Texas TWO-STEP Project and 15 Community College Districts have partnered to provide outreach activities that engage high school students, counselors, faculty and administrators in an effort to promote programs that provide a seamless transition from community college to university.

3. UTA/COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER CONSORTIUM

4. SEAMLESS TRANSITION Texas TWO-STEP Project INTS or COS Community Colleges Tech Prep AP Credits & Dual Credits High Schools

5. Barriers to H.S. Participation in Technical Programs Myths about students who choose Technical Education • Low aspirations • Low test scores • Low High School grades • Low intellectual ability, cannot compete in higher education • Low persistence Myths about Technical Programs • Limited educational opportunities • Limited job opportunities

6. Dispelling Myths • Tech Prep students have lower average annual dropout rates. (TEA) • Tech Prep students have higher average grade 12 graduation rates. (TEA) • Tech Prep graduates completed at a higher rate college-preparatory programs. (TEA)

7. Dispelling Myths • 63.2% of Tech Prep students were still enrolled in higher education classes after two years (1998 graduates) (Career Development Resources) • Tech Prep Students are taking the SAT I and the ACT at a rate equivalent to or higher than other students (TEA) • Tech Prep Students are better prepared in Math than all other students and as well prepared in writing (TEA)

8. Tech Prep • A technical preparation program that allows students to earn college credit beginning as early as ninth grade. • The credits can be used towards an associates degree in any Tech Prep program offered in any of the participating Community College Districts.

9. Tech Prep Tech Prep aligns high school curriculum with college curriculum to prevent duplication of coursework in college and provides a seamless transition from high school to community college.

10. Texas TWO-STEP ProjectSTEP ONE • High School Students may earn Tech Prep credit by participating in articulated Tech Prep Programs and earning a “B” or better • Enroll in the community college and request Tech Prep credits • Comply with community college requirements

11. Texas TWO-STEP ProjectSTEPTWO • Students earn an A.A.S. Degree from one of the Community College Consortium institutions • Students earn a BA/BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from UTA. Students may currently choose from the following program areas: • Business • Health Sciences • Human Services • Public Service • Technology • Students earn a BA/BS from the College of Science

12. Associate of Arts/Science Equivalent to the 1st half of a Baccalaureate Degree Focus is Transfer to 4 year University Associate of Applied Science Degree Design to teach specific career/ technical fields Original Intent was for graduates to enter the job market in 2 years. A.A. Degree or A.A.S. Degree

13. A.A.S. Degree Programs and the Texas TWO-STEP Project • Accounting A.A.S. Nursing • Biotechnology Business Administration • Child Development Commercial Music • CADD Computer Graphics • Computer Information Tech. Construction Management • Criminal Justice D.M.Sonography • Digital Imaging Technology Echocardiology Tech. • Electronic Commerce Electronics Technology • Electronic Telecommunications Internet Dev. Tech. • International Business and Trade Interpreter Training • Logistics Technology Management • Marketing Careers Medical Laboratory Tech. • Veterinary Technology Video Technology

14. HOW STEP TWO WORKS 44 HOURS CORE CURRICULUM 24 HOURS TECHNICAL TRANSFER (UP TO) TOTAL NEEDED TO GRADUATE 128 HOURS NON-CORE HOURS60 HOURS EXAMPLES OF TRANSFERABLE COURSE WORK Accounting:ACNT; BUSG; ITSW; POFT Business: BMGT; BUSG; HRPO; MRKG; POFT Computer-Aided Drafting and Design Technology: DFTG; INMT; QCTC Computer Hardware Technology & Electronics and Telecommunications Technology CETT; CPMT; ELMT; POFT Information Technology: ITCC; ITMC; ITNW; ITSC; ITSE; ITSW; POFI; POFT Graphic Communication: ARTC; GRPH; FLMC; IMED

15. TECH PREP EIGHT YEAR PLAN

16. TECH PREP EIGHT YEAR PLAN

17. UNIVERSITY 44 hrs - Core Curriculum 14 hrs – Cultural Studies or Foreign Language Req. Program Title: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BACHELOR OF ARTS INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES = TOTAL 128 HOURS

18. School of Architecture College of Business Admin School of Social Work Interdisciplinary Studies Program A Customized Degree Plan College of Engineering School of Urban Affairs School of Education College of Science College of Liberal Arts

19. REMOVING BARRIERS to Bachelors Degrees • UTA will accept up to 24 hours of technical credit. • UTA removed the university limit of 72 academic hours received from a community college. • UTA removed the last 30 hours in residence requirement. • UTA will transfer hours back to the sending institution allowing the student to earn an A.A.S. Degree.

20. EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS • Faster graduation and use of technical hours • BA/BS in Interdisciplinary Studies or a BA/BS from the College of Science degrees • Opportunity to pursue Graduate/Professional Degrees

21. For More Information Contact:The UTA/Community College Transfer Consortium Texas TWO-STEP Project Phone: 817.272.1433 Michele Padilla, Project Coordinator Email: mpadilla@uta.edu