For Immediate Release
August 30, 2002
Contact: John Hammond, Director of Public Relations, 210/733-2147, jhammond@accd.edu
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Educators & Public Invited to
Meeting
on Closing the Education Gap in Texas |
| Contact: David Gabler Associate Vice President UTSA, 210-458-4550 Institutions of higher education, public schools, and community-based organizations in San Antonio will join the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and others across the state to launch a campaign later this fall to communicate the importance of higher education. Meanwhile, educators at all levels, community-based organizations, parents, and anyone concerned about closing the education gap and increasing educational opportunities for Texans are invited to attend an orientation meeting about the campaign on Wednesday, September 4, 1:30-3:30 at the Education Service Center, 1314 Hines Ave. Representatives of the Statewide Higher Education Awareness and Motivational Campaign, an initiative of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, will be on hand to discuss long-term strategies of the campaign. "We will provide information on financial and outreach resources available to community-based organizations that get involved and the financial, academic and person-to-person resources for all residents to help them succeed in higher education," said Lynn Denton, campaign director, who added the Coordinating Board will have mini-grants for community-based organizations to help in the effort. She said, "I invite any groups that work with children to come and listen to what we have to offer." Denton said Texas higher education enrollment is healthy, but the percentage of potential students who could attend is lower than it was a decade ago and could continue to fall. One million Texans, or 5 percent of the population, are now enrolled in higher education, which is a lower rate than 10 years ago. This trend would lead to an enrollment of 1.2 million students, or a fall to 4.6 percent or less, by 2015. That could have a negative impact on the economy, said Denton, with household income dropping along with higher education participation rates - an estimated loss of $30 to $40 billion by 2030. "The challenge is to bring 300,000 additional people prepared to succeed into higher education by 2015, beyond the 200,000 student enrollment growth now projected," said Denton. Many of these new students should be Hispanic, African-American and low-income students, many of whom are leaving high school or college without attaining a diploma, certificate or degree, she noted. The campaign will research the understanding and attitudes of targeted populations concerning higher education, use motivational and informative advertising, and establish a network of statewide and community partners to help educate and motivate these groups to successfully pursue higher education. The September 4 meeting will be an opportunity for San Antonio community colleges, public and private four-year institutions, public schools, community-based organizations, and individuals to join together as partners to address these issues. Other meetings will be held in communities throughout the state in September and October. For more information, contact Lynn Denton at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (512-427-6210 or email at lynn.denton@thecb.state.tx.us), or San Antonio Campaign co-chairs John Hammond at 210-733-2147 and David Gabler at 210-458-4550. |
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1300 San Pedro Ave. • San Antonio, Texas • 78212-4299 • (210) 733-2147 |