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Early College High Schools

Through the Early College High School (ECHS) Initiative, the Texas High School Project supports the creation of innovative models for increased high school completion and college enrollment by funding higher education systems that establish Early College High Schools on their campuses or at related sites in high needs areas of the state (Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, Houston, El Paso, and Dallas).
 
The mission of the Early College High School initiative is to provide traditionally underserved students (on campuses with high percentage of at-risk, economically disadvantaged students, and first-time college goers) an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and 60 credit hours toward an associate's degree and/or a baccalaureate degree in an academically supportive environment and at no cost. These Early College High Schools provide opportunities in which the students can succeed and help create a seamless transition between high school and college for these students.
 
THSP/CFT has awarded grants to four organizations to establish 12 Early College High Schools throughout the state and has committed $8.2 million to this project.
 
What we do
          Teacher Professional Development
          Leadership Effectiveness Coaching
          Team Development Retreats
          Networking Opportunities - See ECHS Professional Development Network
 
Key Elements
          High expectations: HS diploma, Associate degree or up to 60 college credit hours
          Small School Structure (Enrollment restricted to 400 students)
          Location on a college campus and sharing of college facilities
          Rigorous and personalized instruction
          Leadership
          Collaboration between faculties
          Modified scheduling to mimic college-like feel and structure necessary for project-based learning, portfolio assessment and responsibility building
          Intense academic counseling
 
Recommended Resources
          Jobs for the Future
          KnowledgeWorks Foundation
          Early Colleges
 

Early College High Schools -
Realizing the Dream Video
News & Announcements

Announcements

College classes for high school students gaining popularity across valley Read more

Early College High School program expands
to 41 campuses; $3.6 million in new funding available   Read more for details and deadlines

Readings

Innovations in College Readiness:  How Early College Schools are Preparing Students Underrepresented in Higher Education for College Success
Jobs for the Future

Immigrant Students Aim for Success:  Hidalgo ECHS settles for nothing less than success. 
Edutopia

Lessons from the Lone Star State: Designing a Sustainable Financial Model to Expand Early College High School in Texas -Jobs for the Future looks at El Paso Community College


College and Career Readiness for All Texas High School Graduates
Jobs for the Future looks at Hidalgo Early College

How to Help Struggling Students in High School?  Send them to College
Chronicle of Higher Education


Events

ECHS Summer 2009 Institute: Program Details and Resources »

Early College High School Awareness Week

Grantees
Funded by CFT

Texas Association of Community Colleges
► East ECHS, Houston ISD - Houston CC
► Canutillo ISD - El Paso CC (ECHS/T-STEM) (Opening 2008)

► Transmountain T-STEM ECHS, El Paso ISD   
 

Texas A & M
 
University of North Texas System
University of Texas System
► East Central HS, ECISD – UT San Antonio
► Southside HS,  SSISD – UT San Antonio
► Southwest HS, SWISD – UT San Antonio
► Hidalgo HS, Hidalgo ISD – UT Pan American University

Texas State Technical College
► Rapoport Academy (T-STEM/ECHS), East Waco Innovative School Development, (CFT)

Funded by TEA

► Challenge ECHS, Houston ISD - Houston Community College (Demonstration Site Grant)
► Victory ECHS, Aldine ISD - N Harris Community College
► Bryan Collegiate, Bryan ISD - Blinn College & Texas A & M
► Clear Horizons ECHS, Clear Creek ISD - San Jacinto Community College 
► Valle Verde ECHS, Ysleta ISD - El Paso Community College
► Cedar Hill ECHS, Cedar Hill ISD - Cedar Valley College
► Frenship Collegiate Preparatory High School, Frenship ISD - South Plains College
► Harlingen ECHS, Harlingen ISD - Texas State Technical College, Harlingen
► Houston Academy for International Studies, Houston ISD - Houston Community College  
► Panola ECHS, Charter School - Texas State Technical College
► Progreso ECHS, Progreso ISD - South Texas College
► Travis ECHS, San Antonio ISD - San Antonio College of the Alamo Community College District 
► Mercedes Early College Academy, Mercedes ISD - South Texas College
► North Houston ECHS, Houston ISD - Houston Community College Northeast
► Legacy ECHS, Taylor ISD - Temple College
Contact
Alma Garcia, ECHS Program Officer
Denise Davis, ECHS Associate Program Officer
Susan Henderson,  ECHS Associate Program Officer
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Grantee Workspace
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