College Access Programs

  • The Dallas ISD has partnered with local nonprofits and institutions of higher education in order to give every high school student access to a postsecondary education. In collaboration with School Leadership and Teaching and Learning staff, the Postsecondary Success team creates and coordinates college access programs and curricula, including:
     
    College Access Program Vendors
    The Dallas ISD formed the College Access Program (CAP) in 2010 to support the district's goal to have the highest college- and career- ready percentage of graduates of any large urban district in the nation. The district has partnered with local organizations to provide college access services to students in their quest for college admission. CAP vendors serve 36 high schools and collaborate with campus staff on college awareness, exploration, and facilitation through the college selection, examination, application, and scholarship and financial aid application processes.
     
    Dual Credit Programs
    The Dallas ISD has partnered with the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) to offer classes that allow eligible students to receive college and high school credit.
     
    Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) Partnerships
    The Dallas ISD has partnered with several IHEs to implement the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's (THECB) student mentorship program. The program is designed to bring college access, career awareness, and financial aid information to high school students and parents by maintaining permanent GO Centers within the school district.
     
    Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment
    The TSI Assessment is designed to help Texas colleges determine if a student is ready for college-level course work in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. Incoming college students are required to take the TSI Assessment unless they qualify for an exemption. Read this one-pager to learn more about the assessment.
    • High school campuses are able to schedule TSI testing days with their DCCCD partner colleges. 
     
    College Entrance Exam School Days and Test Preparation
    The SAT and ACT are standardized tests designed to assess a student's academic readiness for college. Test scores are one of many factors that colleges consider when making their admission decisions.
    Why should I take the ACT?
    Why should I take the SAT?
    • Students applying to 4-year colleges should take the SAT and/or ACT, and in an effort to increase college admissions rates, the Dallas ISD pays for all juniors to take the SAT in the spring, and for all seniors to take the ACT in the fall. Both exams are administered during the regular school day.
    • The district funds the Superintendent's Scholars Program annually, which allows high school students to attend SAT and ACT test preparation courses free of charge.

     

    School Day Administrations:

    ACT School Day: October 2, 2018
    All seniors will take the ACT with Writing during the regular school day.
    Prepare for the ACT with this free handbook!
    After the test, refer to the Using Your ACT Results guide for next steps.
     
    SAT School Day: March 6, 2019
    All juniors will take the SAT with essay during the regular school day.
    Prepare with FREE Official SAT® Practice!
    Watch this video and follow these 3 steps to link your College Board + Khan Academy accounts and access free, personalized SAT practice.

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