In 2013, 19 high schools in Metro Austin became the first in the country to use text messaging to communicate with students and their parents about important college enrollment milestones. The Austin Chamber funded and built a data portal for local school districts using local start up software company OneLogos. Schools use the portal to access student-level data on SAT/ACT, ApplyTexas and FAFSA completion then remind them with individualized text messages.

“Sending timely text reminders encourages teens, and now parents, to complete college enrollment tasks right away”, commented Rich Haines, CEO of OneLogos. “[Texts] can also direct students and parents to a counselor who can aid them if they need extra help.”

Educators can sort students by ApplyTexas and FAFSA status to send targeted text-messaging

The text messaging portal was developed because Austin-area schools witnessed a growing occurrence called “summer melt”, where high school students who have been accepted to college fail to register and begin school in the following fall semester. Summer melt is particularly high among students from low-income and disadvantaged background. To bridge the gap between high school and college, a summer text messaging intervention program is used to provide students with the information they need about the tasks required by their intended institution.

Storm Vance, 12th grade Assistant Principal at Travis High School told us, “Parents are eager to know up-to-the-minute details during this critical time and they appreciate every update we can provide.”

Summer melt efforts are designed to increase direct-to-college enrollment rates in Austin, which currently lag the national average. To learn more about the Chamber’s partnership with OneLogos and local school districts, click here.

OneLogos also matches students with scholarships, grants and other financial aid through Red Kite (myredkite.com).

Posted by Andy Feller, Director, Education & Talent Programs at the Austin Chamber.