• Build local support through local and media visibility
• Promote the partner’s role in building a national network that achieves results for students
• Elevate the successes of early college high schools in the eyes of local and national funders
• Promote early college to local and national stakeholders and decision makers as an innovative model that works
• Inspire people to consider the role of education in their lives and the future of our country
• Motivate students from diverse backgrounds to graduate from high school and succeed in college

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Event and Activity Ideas

The following ideas are a starting point to help schools develop programming that uniquely reflects their respective communities.  Although an activity can stand alone, schools can integrate several events in a week-long celebration that generates widespread appeal and media attention.   THSP has several videos if you would like to use multimedia.

We strongly encourage your active participation. 

1. Media/School-Centered Activities

These activities could include but are not limited to:

• Holding a news conference to celebrate students graduating with an Associate’s degree or at least one year of college credit, to applaud students’ achievements and tout the financial savings to them and their families
• Connecting media with an early college graduate who is also marching with fellow Associate’s degree graduates at the local community college (for a feature)
• Releasing data on student achievement at the early college high school, preferably in comparison with that of the district or state as a whole (e.g., graduation rates, percent enrolled in college credit courses)
• Inviting media to a graduation rehearsal for a “sneak peek” at the students graduating with an Associate’s degree or those who have been accepted to college
• Inviting media to the release of the school yearbook, so students can show it off and reminisce on their positive, life-changing high school experience
• Submitting an op-ed by the district superintendent to a local newspaper, radio, or TV station or arrange for that person to be interviewed about the merits of early college

2. Community-Based Events

The following ideas are broader, community-focused activities that may require more planning time and organizing capacity, but serve the added value of engaging an expanded audience.

Panel Discussions - Schools could expand local awareness of education-related issues by inviting educators, scholars, advocates, or policymakers to discuss subjects that affect local education and student achievement, including dual enrollment policies within states. Suggested topics for speakers or a panel include:

• What is the connection between educational attainment and success in life?
• How can every young person complete a college degree?
• How do communities define success for their young people?
• How high can we aim?

Workshops - Similar topics could be addressed in educator-led workshops for students, families, or teachers.  These would offer creative, hands-on opportunities for audiences to learn about early college and make personal connections to the importance of education and its impact on the community.

School Receptions - Offer community members opportunities to meet the students and school staff at a reception. The reception could include a photo exhibit (or other type of display) featuring a day in the life of an early college student, an activity the school has undertaken to improve the community, or some other school-driven event. Schools could also honor a student, teacher, parent, or local leader at the reception.

Exhibits - Partners can work with schools to increase local awareness and appreciation of the early college design with an exhibition featuring the literature, science, math, and other work of local students—a portfolio show akin to a cross-disciplinary science fair. These exhibits could illustrate the colleges to which students have applied or been accepted. Community members, faculty, and/or students who have contributed to the success of the school could be honored at a reception.

Contests - Encourage local participation in a dialogue about education by sponsoring an Early College High School Week story-writing, poetry, or art contest for students and community members.  Showcase entries at an exhibit or event and invite community leaders to judge entries and award prizes.  The writing contest could be part of a reception or exhibit, with prizes donated by local businesses.  Schools would recognize all entrants with a letter or certificate.    Back to Top

Contact

For more information, please contact your Early College High School program officer or visit us on the web at THSP.org/ECHSWeek

Denise Davis
Associate Program Officer, Early College High School
214.750.4143
ddavis@cftexas.org

Kelty Garbee
Early College High School Program Manager
Texas High School Project
Texas Education Agency
512.936.2597
kelty.garbee@tea.state.tx.us