ENCORE - Engaging Communities for College Readiness

>> Ediburg CISD College Readiness Parent Sessions
The ENCORE team in partnership with community organizations conducted Parent Sessions on College Readiness across all middle schools in Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District, one of the largest school districts in the Rio Grande Valley. Each parent session focused in promoting the benefits of higher education, understanding the definition of college readiness and reflecting in the importance of parental involvement in the college and career readiness process.

>> BOEING Encourages Edinburg CISD Students to Go the Distance
Boeing engineers, scientists and business executives participated in interactive presentations and science experiments with middle and high school students from Edinburg Consolidated School District as part of the ENCORE CAMP college readiness initiative. Boeing representatives inspired over 1,000 students to prepare for a college education and consider careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

>> College Readiness for Middle School Parents
As a component of the Career Awareness & Mentorship Program (CAMP), the ENCORE team conducted interactive College Readiness Parent Sessions for middle school parents at the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District. These sessions explored the importance of higher education, the definition of College Readiness, supplemental programs to help support students, and reflected on the importance of parental involvement.

>> Ford PAS Professional Development Institute 2009
The South Texas Ford PAS Professional Development Institute (PDI) 2009 hosted August 4th - 7th was a great success. Over 40 teachers and administrators from Edinburg and San Benito CISD participated in this four-day event. The South Texas Ford PAS PDI 2009 concentrated in renewal and advancement of teachers' knowledge and skills to improve teaching effectiveness in the classroom. Teachers participated in school culture and college readiness activities and were introduced to the Ford PAS inquiry-based, project-based, and collaborative approaches transforming teaching and learning.

>> The Career Awareness & Mentorship Program (CAMP)
The Career Awareness & Mentorship Program (CAMP) is a inquiry-based initiative developed by the ENCORE program in partnership with Rio Grande Valley (RGV) school districts to provide students the ultimate college readiness experience. ENCORE in partnership with Edinburg CISD successfully conducted the first ENCORE CAMP where middle school students and their parents participated.

>> ENCORE Outreach
ENCORE has participated in different community and student events advocating for college readiness. ENCORE has been invited to interviews with the media and recorded video testimonials of students, parents and teachers. Some of these parents are members of the South Texas Promotora Association who are college readiness advocates across different communities.

>> Captain Salinas Elementary School
On April 9, 2009 the school hosted "Career Day", ENCORE gave 2nd grade students an overview on the need to pursue a post secondary education and facilitated group discussions on career options. The students were intrigued on vast career an opportunity presented to them, and on how having a college education opens more possibilities.

>> South Texas Promotora Association Training
In efforts to raise awareness to the community on college readiness, ENCORE pilots a College Readiness Training, and is successful in educating parent leaders from Colonias about the steps to prepare students for a college education.

>> 8th Annual Youth Leadership Conference
ENCORE participated in the 8th Annual Youth Leadership Conference, on March 27, 2009, as college readiness presenters and exhibitors. This conference was hosted at the Abundant Grace Community Church in Edinburg and had an attendance of over 1,200 at-risk students from across different school districts of the Rio Grande Valley.