Mapping our Connections

1. Mapping our Connections GIS as a Partnership: Flour Bluff I.S.D. Del Mar College Texas A & M University—Corpus Christi

2. Why Partner? • Bringing all entities together into a cohesive educational environment • Helping ensure the effective and efficient transition of students • Supporting students in knowing their options

3. Importance of Partnership • Need to meet industry standard expectations—seek opportunities to offer national level certifications • Involve business and government so they support the program and can offer insight to the skills expected • Each partner should have an area of expertise to lend to the success of the program • Ensure curriculum, goals and objectives match up

4. The Importance of Articulation • Help students know they can accomplish post-secondary education • Save money • Explore their interests early • Common economic benefit • Avoid wasting time • Brings entities together to ensure effective and efficient transition without duplication, holes/gaps, etc.

5. Communicating the Message • Talk frequently with parents, students, businesses, community organizations about the opportunities these programs create • Begin talking about the opportunities early—at least by 6th grade • Help students visualize what the program can help them achieve • One clear voice, one clear message • Ensure all your people are on board, understand the message and have common language to communicate the message

6. Flour Bluff I.S.D. (6 years) • Flour Bluff I.S.D (Initiated in Spring 2002): • GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (Innovative Course--TEA) • GIS II: Spatial Technology and Remote Sensing Systems--S.T.A.R.S. (Innovative Course--TEA) • GIS III: Spatial Projects and Community Exchange Lab--S.P.A.C.E. (Innovative Course--TEA) • Expanded course content into other academic courses, i.e. Social Studies, Mathematics, Science • ESRI-approved curriculum through Digital Quest, Eddie Hanbuth—based at NASA—Stennis Airforce Base, Gulfport, Mississippi

7. Flour Bluff I.S.D. Continued • Utilize Arcview and Geodysy Software • Utilize national census data, aerial images of Nueces County and satellite images • Year 1: Students explore use of software, become familiar with census data and use of pictorial images. • Year 2: Students select a school-based project to improve services. • Year 3: Students select a community mentor, i.e. and engineer and propose a community-based project to improve services. • CISCO Local Academy (training for faculty) • ESRI Training through Digital Quest each summer for faculty. • Development of TEKS with TEA—now approved statewide and have an avenue for Technology Applications credit

8. Del Mar College • Dr. Phil Davis, Del Mar College • Initiated GIS-TEK Project and Obtained NSF Funding to support: • Track 1--Development of 3 new GIS Courses • Track 2—Building GIS Awareness and Training Capacity in Secondary Schools • Track 3—Development of new K-16 articulation models for schools, colleges and universities • Advisory Committee involving FBISD, CCISD, Del Mar College, TAMUCC, ESRI, Business, etc.

9. Texas A & M University—Corpus Christi • Dr. Gary Jeffress, Professor, Geomatics and Surveying Program • 4-Year Bachelor Degree • One of first in the nation • Draws students from Del Mar College and FBISD and other school districts • Focus of the program is on preparing engineers who help develop GIS software/applications, surveyors, etc.

10. Joint Efforts • Developed Tech-Prep articulation agreement and now we have DUAL CREDIT! • Reviewed and aligned FBISD and Del Mar GIS course competencies • Worked to accomplish change through Texas Education Agency to allow GIS as a recognized Technology Application credit course—currently state elective credit only

11. Joint Efforts • There is some loss of credit between the Associate and Bachelor degrees • Graduation requirements between Del Mar and TAMUCC differ • The desire is to create a no-loss credit program between Del Mar and TAMUCC • There needs to be a way to track the progress of students at FBISD, Del Mar and TAMUCC

12. Hurdles • State funding is based on program completion—community colleges lose some indication of success, if students transfer before completing the Associate Degree • Universities do not earn funding for the undergraduate courses, if taken at the community college

13. Hurdles • Getting TEA to recognize the benefit of GIS as a Technology Application course (GIS I) • Finding ways to make room in a student’s schedule and graduation requirements to take GIS I, II and III based on the new 4X4 requirements and required 26 graduation credits

14. Benefits • Students can walk away with industry level certifications • Students have exposure to the industry at an early age • Students have a clear pathway from secondary through post-secondary • The industry has a trained workforce and the economy benefits

15. Questions? • Dr. Audra Ude, Assistant Superintendent Flour Bluff I.S.D. (361) 694-9220 or aude@flourbluffschools.net • Dr. Phil Davis, Del Mar College • Dr. Gary Jeffress, Texas A & M University—Corpus Christi