June 18, 2008 Early College Experiences: Innovative Pathways to Promote School Success Presentation by Terry Grobe, Terri Howard and Michael Webb JFF and Holyoke Community College

Slide 2 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

Slide 3 SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, PUMS and Population Projections, IPEDS Completions Survey For every ten students who start high school… 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 The Education Pipeline Is Leaking Gaps in attainment are caused by failures at critical points along the education pipeline Source: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems

Slide 4 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 5 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) Early College: Intensive Investment in Degree Production

Slide 6 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 7 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 8 Average # of College Credits Earned by Graduates (18 Schools)

Slide 9 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

Slide 10 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 11 Early College High School Partnership Springfield Public Schools Holyoke Community College Commonwealth Corporation

Slide 12 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 13 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.

Slide 14 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 15 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

Slide 16 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 17 ECHS students in Career Center Students receive career information

Slide 18 Student Advisories

Slide 19 Graduate and on to College !

Slide 20 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?