Overview of Early College High Schools in Texas
What is an Early College High School (ECHS)?
Early college high schools are small, innovative high schools that allow students least likely to attend college, an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and two years of college credit at no cost to the student. Located on or in close proximity to a college campus, early college high schools ease the transition from high school to college by blending high school and college curriculum into a cohesive unit. As defined by the Texas Legislature in 2005, early college high schools are for students who are at risk of dropping out of high school or who wish to accelerate completion of the high school program. The target population includes first-generation college-goers, low-income students, students of color, and English language learners.
The Early College model is gaining national attention due to success in raising high school graduation and college retention rates. With over 21 schools in operation and more in the planning stage, the state of Texas is one of the pioneers of this program.
What Differentiates Early College High School from a Dual Credit Program?
Early colleges are different from other dual credit programs in whom they serve and how they serve that population. A typical dual credit program offers between 12 and 30 hours of college credit for students at a regular high school that have demonstrated readiness for college level work, usually in the 11th or 12th grade. In contrast, early colleges are small high schools, often located on a college campus and focused on a population of students who would are traditionally lost in transition between high school and college.
Early college high schools are purposefully designed to provide students with a personalized, blended, and supportive program that introduces college-level skills and course work in the 9th or 10th grade and gives them an opportunity to earn either an Associate’s degree or up to 60 college credit hours in addition to a high school diploma. Students accrue college hours through some mix of dual credit, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes. At the same time, students are provided with a series of support structures, including counseling, mentoring, and tutoring designed to help them succeed. The overall goal of the Early College High School Program is to create a seamless transition between high school and college by compressing the timeline for and increasing opportunities to obtain a college degree.
Why is the Early College High School Model Successful?
An Early college High School requires a district to partner with an institution of higher education to design a school that transforms the traditional curriculum sequence and modes of instruction to allow for a closer alignment between high school and college. By working in close partnership, school districts and institutions of higher education are able to serve students in a more personalized and efficient manner that leads to higher levels of student success. Working in close partnership requires and creates:
Shared Vision & Understanding of Roles & Responsibilities
- Expectations for students and parents
- Memorandum of Understanding between education partners
Culture of Learning and Support
- Focus on rigorous instruction and accelerated coursework
- A college-going culture that provides high school students with access to college facilities and services
- Student support systems including tutoring, counseling, and mentoring
- Collaborative teaching and professional development
Focus on Outcomes
- Increase high school graduation and retention for students at risk of not graduating
- Reduce barriers to college access for first-generation college-goers
- Increase attainment of postsecondary education and training
Learn More about: Early College Enabling and Supportive Legislation
For information about Early College High School from a national perspective please visit the Jobs for the Future Early College High School Initiative website: http://www.earlycolleges.org
