In Texas, the College Connection program helps Hispanic parents and high school students fill out college-admission forms and educate them about the admissions process and fi nancial aid. The program has been replicated throughout Texas. El Paso Community College in Texas has an aggressive recruitment and retention program that includes working with students from the time they enter high school and guiding them on the process of entering a four-year university after they complete community college.
In addition, the College Board, which prepares and distributes standardized examinations like the SAT, has convened forums to discuss this issue and to try to work with experts to formulate solutions.
“Across the board we are seeing more dialogue with school districts and community colleges so that” Hispanic students can transition in successfully, Rivera says.
“You certainly have school districts and colleges supporting efforts at their level,” adds Saenz. “It has to come from the community, the churches. It doesn’t always have to come from schools.”
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