Early College High School Program
EARLY COLLEGE BLUEPRINT
The Early College High School Program offers students the opportunity to graduate simultaneously with a high school diploma and an associate degree—all for free. ECHS is hosted through a partnership with Texas Southmost College.
In addition to earning college credit—up to 60 hours—and preparing for future professions, students save thousands of dollars in college costs. ECHS students are enrolled in both high school and college classes and receive support from HSI Brownsville teachers and their TSC professors to ensure that they are on the right track to a successful college career.
Benchmark 1: School DesignThe Early College High School (ECHS) shall establish school structures and policies, regularlyconvene leadership teams and ensure adequate staff capacity for the successful implementation and sustainability of the ECHS program. |
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Benchmark 2: PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTThe Early College High School shall have a current, signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for each school year that:
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Benchmark 3: Target PopulationThe Early College High School (ECHS) shall target and enroll historically underserved students. The campus must enable students who are at-risk of dropping out or those who wish to accelerate completion of high school to combine high school courses and college-level courses. Every ECHS must enroll at least a 9th grade class during their first year of implementation. If an ECHS phases out their services, the academy must be prepared to provide services to each enrolled cohort through graduation.
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Benchmark 4: Academic InfrastructureThe Early College High School (ECHS) must provide a rigorous course of study that allows students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and enable a student to combine high school courses and college-level courses with the goal of earning an associate degree or up to 60 semester credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree. |
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Benchmark 5: Student SupportsThe Early College High School (ECHS) must provide wrap-around strategies and services involving multiple stakeholders to strengthen academic, technical, and individual support for students to be successful in their ECHS program. |
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