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Texas Even Start Administrative Manual

June 2004, (Revised January 2008)

Instructional Services

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Recruitment of students will occur continuously. Students can only show progress after consistent program participation; therefore, retention becomes equally as important as recruitment. Steps to student retention include effective recruitment of eligible families, a thorough orientation process and individual student attention.

The term “managed enrollment” describes a method of admitting students that lies somewhere between open enrollment and closed enrollment. Enrolling a new Even Start family involves administration of early childhood assessments, a parent education assessment, an adult education assessment, and coordination of early childhood education services. These activities require large time commitments and coordination between the Even Start staff and its partners. If a family drops out after only a few classes, there is no return on investment (ROI) for the program.

Managed enrollment is designed to minimize lost time and maximize student retention. Managed enrollment involves admitting students at designated entry points throughout the year. One program might admit new students monthly while another admits new students every two weeks or every six weeks. The frequency of admittance is flexible, but does not allow for new students on a daily basis. Students participate in an orientation prior to entering the classroom. The orientation includes goal setting, baseline assessment and an introduction to program components. Students are also introduced to program policies and procedures. This provides students with an understanding of the program benefits and their responsibilities as a student before they enter class.

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