Early College Programmingin Massachusetts

Discussion for the Boards of Elementary and Secondary Education and Higher Education

January 26, 2016

Purpose of Presentation

• Provide boards with background on early college concepts and models, in general and in Massachusetts

• Outline guiding questions for policy discussion

• Questions and feedback

What are early college programs?

• Early college programs:• Incorporate credit-bearing college

coursework and academic supports into the high school experience

• Allow students to simultaneously fulfill requirements for their high school diploma and a subsequent college credential

How do high school students earn college credit?

onlineon the college campus

Early College Programs: Enrolling in college-level coursework while

simultaneously enrolled in high school

through classes offeredthrough classes offeredon the high school campus

on the high school campus

taught by

college faculty(“dual enrollment”)

college-approved high school teachers

(“concurrent enrollment”)

High School Courses:Enrolling in high school-level

coursework that may result in college credit

through

Advanced Placement (AP)

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Articulated Courses

There are many potential benefits of early college programming.

• Students may:– Get a head start on college credits at low or no cost, or even earn a

credential while still in high school

– Gain exposure to college expectations and culture, building confidence and easing the transition to college after high school

– Gain career skills by participating in real work experiences

– Decrease time to college completion and entry to workforce

• High schools and institutions of higher education may:– Strengthen relationships that help to further alignment of

high school and college curricula

– Engage and advance student interest in high-need fields such as advanced manufacturing, information technology and health care

Nationwide, early college programs have shown positive outcomes for students.

Data Source: Jobs for the Future, “Early College High Schools Get Results”Based on outcomes of thousands of students who attended about 100 representative early college programs nationwide.

Early College Students All Students

Receive HS diploma 90% 78%Enroll in college (immediate fall) 71% 68%

Persist in college 86% 72%

National studies have found that students in early college programming are more likely to graduate high school, enroll in college, and earn a degree.

For example:

Many early college designs incorporate a mix of the following program components.

Offer College Creditstowards a degree or postsecondary credential

Identify Industry Sectordriven by labor market information

Establish High School & College Partnershipcreating 9–14/16 pathways with clear structures, timelines, costs, and requirements

Engage Employers & Integrate Career Development Educationproviding a continuum of work-based learning opportunities

Align High School & College Curriculumcreating a scope and sequence that best prepares students for credit-bearing coursework

Integrated High School & College Designs“school within school” or “full school” models that systemically blend high school and college

Support Students Academically & Non-Academicallyhelping students develop academic, social skills, and the behaviors necessary for college completion

MORE UNIVERSAL/COMMON LESS UNIVERSAL/COMMON

There are obvious benefits to offering more college credits to high school students.

Some Current Models in Massachusetts

Commonwealth Dual Enrollment

Partnership

Pathways to Prosperity & Youth

CareerConnect

STEM Early College

High Schools

Key emphasisEases transition to college; promotes transferability of earned credits

Promotes 9–14 career pathways, workplace learning opportunities

Promotes student achievement in STEM,

enrollment in STEM majors

Student groups targeted 1st generation college students, students interested in STEM

# of college credits earned per student Generally 3–6 At least 12 Up to 24

Scale

• Over 3,300 students projected for FY16

• 25 colleges• 250+ high schools

• Over 1,100 students• 4 colleges• 4 high schools

• Over 500 students• 5 colleges• 5 districts + Mass.

Association of Vocational Administrators

Source: The Massachusetts Landscape of Early College; DHE FY16 CDEP data.

Emerging National Models:New York

Emerging National Models:North Carolina

• To increase # of students graduating from high school who enroll and succeed in college, North Carolina has established the largest number of Early College High Schools in the US.

• Design principles:– Ready for College – Powerful Teaching and Learning – Personalization – Professionalism – Leadership – Purposeful Design

Source: Smoothing the Way to College: Impact of Early College High Schools. SERVE Center, University of North Carolina at Greensboro. May 2015.

The Commonwealth has a significant need for more baccalaureate graduates.

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 -

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

Projected Graduates vs. Projected Workforce Need

Source: “Job Growth and Education Requirements Through 2020,” Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce

Shortfall in Bachelor’s Graduates from Massachusetts Public Higher Education

Shortfall in Associate Graduates from Massachusetts Public Higher Education

Guiding Questions for Ongoing Policy Discussion

– What are the metrics by which we should measure success and program outcomes?

– What mode(s) of program design will we pursue, and what are the implications?

– What type(s) of students are we going to serve?

– How will funding and sustainability of programs be ensured?

– Who will be accountable for the success of this work?