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.
Benchmark 1: School Design
1.6 Leadership Team Strategic Priorities
Document(s) outlining the strategic priorities for the current academic year and/or long-term priorities of the ECHS partnership
ECHS/IHE leadership meeting agendas
School board and board of regents’ presentations
1.7 Leadership Team Key Roles
Description of each member and role in leadership team
1.8 ECHS Staff
ECHS leader/IHE liaison meeting agendas and relevant materials
1.9 ECHS Staff Professional Development
Annual training or professional development plan for ECHS and IHE faculty
Mentor/induction program plans
Benchmark 2: Partnership
2.1 Goal of Higher Education Partnerships
Final, signed, and executed MOU/ILA or similar agreement
Benchmark 3: Target Population
3.2 Documenting Enrollment Procedures
Written recruitment plan, including a timeline of recruitment and enrollment events, and recruitment materials for distribution at feeder middle schools and other appropriate locations in the community
3.3 Stakeholder Engagement
Brochures and marketing in Spanish, English, and/or other relevant language(s)
3.4 Lottery System
Written lottery procedures (district-level or campus-level)
Benchmark 4: Academic Infrastructure
4.3 Course Sequence
Crosswalk aligning high school and college courses, grades 9 through 12, which enables a student to earn an associate degree or up to 60 college credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree
Master schedules
4.7 College Readiness
Calendar of TSIA scheduled test administration dates, sign-up process, and intervention expectations
Testing calendar and schedule for SAT, ACT, or other college readiness assessments
Aggregate reports of TSIA exam performance
Benchmark 5: Student Supports
5.1 Bridge Programs
Bridge program curriculum and schedule
5.2 Advising
Schedule of advising events
5.3 Student Intervention
Tutoring schedules
5.4 Classroom Supports
Advisory/study skills curriculum material
5.6 Enrichment Opportunities
Calendar of enrichment events and family outreach events