Early College Experiences: Innovative Pathways to Promote School Success

Presentation by Terry Grobe, Terri Howard and Michael Webb JFF and Holyoke Community College June 18, 2008

The High School Graduation Mystique

• For low-income students, dysfunctional to sell high school graduation as the end point.. – Everyone needs a postsecondary credential – Country is dividing rapidly into “haves” and “have nots” based on educational attainment – The AA degree is the “pivotal” point

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The Education Pipeline Is Leaking Gaps in attainment are caused by failures at critical points along the education pipeline

For every

ten

school… students who start high   

Seven

will get a diploma   But only

five

will enroll in a postsecondary institution   Fewer than

three

will complete a Bachelor’s degree within ten years 

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, PUMS and Population Projections, IPEDS Completions Survey 2004-05

Source: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems

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One Approach: College-level Work in High School

• Time to degree shortened • Families and state save money • College “try out” for those not already college bound • Students motivated to work hard to earn free college credit • Improved alignment between high schools and postsecondary

Slide 4

Early College: Intensive Investment in Degree Production

Early College High Schools are: • Small schools encompassing grades 6,7-14 or 9-14 created through formal partnerships between secondary and postsecondary institutions.

•

Designed

so students underrepresented in postsecondary can earn an Associate’s degree or two years of college credit while still in high school   6-12 schools= 7 years to AA (-2 years) 9-12 schools= 4-5 years to AA (-1or 2 years)

Slide 5

Early College High School Initiative: Theory of Change

By integrating grades 9-14, compressing the years to a credential, and removing financial and other barriers to college, we can: • increase numbers of young people completing high school succeeding in college.

• provide early college experiences for broad range of young people.

• address disconnects between secondary & postsecondary systems, thereby increasing readiness.

Slide 6

Data on Students and Schools Impact as of Fall 2007:

• Students served: 20,000 moving to 100,000+ by 2012 • Populations served: 3/4 students of color - More than 30 schools serve especially at risk populations —ELLs, Native Americans, dropouts - Most students are first generation to attend college - 60% report eligibility for free and reduced lunch • Schools open: 159 in 24 states; 90+schools in pipeline

Slide 7

Average # of College Credits Earned by 2006-7 Graduates (18 Schools)

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ECHSI Wins and Influence

• ECHS established in research and policy literature • ECHS being replicated with state dollars in GA, ME, MI, NC, TX; • 75 schools on the way in NC • Some states have incorporated ECHS in rules and statutes (TX, OH, NC, GA) • States have expanded free college courses as “on ramp” to college through dual enrolment (FL, GA, ME, OH, RI, TX, UT) • Early financial modeling suggests early college will yield significant state return on investment and decreased cost of degree completion

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Implementation Challenges: THIS IS NOT EASY

• ECHS requires: – Formal agreement between secondary/postsecondary partners – Financing plan that combines funding sources: school & college – Recruitment of and commitment to target population – Leader with credibility in postsecondary environment – Aligned and integrated 9-14 grades curriculum – Instructional and leadership coaching to create school-wide culture of high achievement – Data driven decision-making & accountability

Slide 10

Early College High School 2007-2008

Partnership Springfield Public Schools Holyoke Community College Commonwealth Corporation

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Early College High School

• • • • •

Hours: 9am – 3:45pm Location: Holyoke Community College Students: 80 SPS (11-12 Grade) Transportation: P11 on the PVTA Meals: Breakfast and lunch provided by Sodexho

Slide 12

Early College High School at HCC

•

ECHS students graduate from the Springfield Public Schools.

•

ECHS students participate in career internships.

•

ECHS students receive information about colleges, financial aid and scholarships.

•

ECHS students attend school with over 6,000 college students at HCC.

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College Classes

•

ECHS students take HCC classes and earn both High School and College credit.

•

Students need a 2.5 GPA and pass the College Placement Test to attend college classes.

•

Students receive academic counseling from the College Admissions Office.

Slide 14

The Benefits The Bartley Center : HCC’s Athletic facility

College Computer Labs Library usage Athletic facility usage Competency based instruction Senior Internships Experience college culture Take HCC classes

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Communication

• •

Parents are the Key to Student Success!

•

Parents are encouraged to contact the school if their child is sick or having other difficulties getting to school.

•

The advisor will contact the parent if the child is having difficulty in class or not attending class.

Parents are encouraged to join other parents in a Parent’s Group at ECHS.

Slide 16

ECHS students in Career Center Students receive career information

Slide 17

Student Advisories

Slide 18

Graduate and on to College !

Slide 19

Some Essential Questions

• What’s the incentive for school systems and for colleges?

• What did it take to start an ECHS at HCC?

• What was most difficult? What’s most satisfying?

• What advice would you give the audience as they think about starting/expanding this work?

Slide 20