Engaging Higher Education for Early College Success Texas High School Project April 21, 2010

Where are we?

Who are we? Region –One-half Adult over age of 25 have less than 9 th Grade Education –3 rd Fastest Growing Region in the Nation –Youngest Population in the Nation College –Over 27,000 Students  8,770 Dual Enrollment Students –95% Hispanic –Majority First-Generation College –Nearly 88% of Students on Financial Aid

Years of Existence? Progreso ECHS Academy – –Year 3 McAllen Achieve ECHS – –Year 2 PSJA T-STEM ECHS – –Year 2 Mercedes ECHS Academy – –Year 2 Valley View T-STEM ECHS – –Year 1 ECHS (Began as a T-STEM Academy; Applied for ECHS designation)

Enrollment Projections , Progreso PSJA; McAllen; Mercedes Valley View

11 th Grade Cohort 12 th Grade Cohort 10 th Grade Cohort 9 th Grade Cohort 500 Preparing to Serve 2,000 Students by

Planning for Success Steering Committee –Led by Superintendent & President Understanding Funding Streams Communication Early & Often Establish High Expectations Stay True to ECHS Philosophy Plan for High Levels of Engagement

How do we establish high expectations? For parents? For students? For faculty? Through Meaningful Partnerships!

Pathways to Success Continuous Communication Curriculum Alignment Alignment of Expectations College Readiness Focus College Knowledge Degree Plan Crosswalks Continuously Monitoring Progress Transition to Four Year Programs

College Experience

Planned Dual Enrollment

How are they doing? * W reflects students who withdrew from ECHS during semester

A better quality of life for our communities Vision Statement

Luzelma G. Canales Interim Associate Dean, Community Engagement & Corporate Training