50,000 AND COUNTING

Over 50,000. That’s how many students are benefiting from the supports and academic rigor of our early college high schools today, and the number rises each year. These students, most from minority and low-income families, will be prepared for college when they graduate. In addition, many will graduate from early college high school with a year or more of college credit in hand, saving them time and money toward that all-important Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.

We’re celebrating these schools and their successes during our third annual Early College High School Week (March 20-26, 2011). We’re honored and grateful that President Obama has written to the early college community this week, acknowledging both the value of schools and districts that have adopted an early college design and the importance of helping the populations they serve: young people underrepresented in postsecondary institutions.

Since 2002, the Early College High School Initiative and its 13 partner organizations have created or redesigned 230 early colleges across 28 states, with the goal of improving outcomes for those who traditionally don’t fare well in our schools or our economy. The lessons gleaned from these schools—about effective classroom instructional practices, supportive policies, and more—now inform JFF’s work outside the initiative as well as within it, including in programs like Back on Track to help school districts reengage dropouts and off-track youth and prepare them for college success.

I want to thank every teacher, parent, administrator, partner, funder, and public official for your continued dedication and support of this important work. I also commend every early college student for embracing this opportunity, proving to yourselves and the nation that students of all backgrounds and skill levels can thrive and advance in high school, college, and careers.

—Marlene B. Seltzer, President and CEO, Jobs for the Future

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PRESIDENT OBAMA SALUTES EARLY COLLEGES

President Barack Obama has written to all involved in the Early College High School Initiative, wishing us a great week and continued success: “Projects like the Early College High School Initiative help ensure all our students can succeed,” the President wrote. “Working together, we can support America’s next generation of professionals, and empower them to win the future for our Nation.” CLICK HERE to read his full letter.

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EVENTS

Here is a sample of the many exciting events that took place nationwide this week. To see (and SHARE) more, visit the Week’s facebook page: http://on.fb.me/fM6do1

GEORGIA STUDENTS ON THE AIR

On Tuesday, Savannah Early College senior Nicole Poole and Principal Gertrude Robinson were interviewed on the Bill Edwards Morning Show (WTKS 1290 AM). A Georgia flag also flew over the State Capitol this week in honor of Savannah Early College and in recognition of Early College High School Week. In addition, Governor Nathan Deal and University System of Georgia Chancellor Erroll Davis, Jr., proclaimed this to be “Georgia Early College Week.” Georgia is home to 12 early colleges in the Early College High School Initiative.

TEXAS LEGISLATURE DECLARES EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL WEEK

On Wednesday, 11 students from four Central Texas early college high schools celebrated Early College High School Week at the Texas Capitol. The Texas legislature recognized the innovation and success of early college high schools, as well as the hard work and dedication of ECHS students across the state by proclaiming March 20-26 as Early College High School Week in Texas. State Rep. Rob Eissler (R-Woodlands) and State Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) formalized the honor by reading the proclamation. The students also had the honor to meet their local elected officials and have their pictures taken. Texas is home to 44 early colleges and 5 T-STEM (Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) schools.

NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOLS HOST LOCAL LEADERS

Cross Creek Early College High School invited leaders from Cumberland County Schools, Fayetteville State University, and other area high schools to see firsthand how rigorous, effective instruction is delivered at the school. The visit is part of the Learning Laboratory Initiative, an effort funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to showcase and spread effective classroom practices. North Carolina has a nation-leading 71 early colleges.

“MANY VOICES, ONE GOAL”: WHITE HOUSE STEM ADVISOR SPEAKS AT NORTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE

On Thursday, the North Carolina New Schools Project hosted a packed-house conference to promote preparing everyone for college, raise awareness of STEM and other school transformation efforts, and equip participants with tools to implement innovations in their communities. Keynote speeches were given by Governor Beverly Perdue, nationally recognized education innovator Uri Treisman, and White House STEM advisor and CEO of Change the Equation Linda Rosen.

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NEW RESEARCH

ACCELERATING COLLEGE READINESS: LESSONS FROM NORTH CAROLINA’S EARLY COLLEGES

Half of all states have at least one early college high school, but North Carolina leads the nation with 71. This report shares concrete strategies and lessons learned from these early colleges—lessons that educators in all types of high schools can implement.

UNCONVENTIONAL WISDOM: A PROFILE OF THE GRADUATES OF EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL

Early college students are refuting the conventional wisdom that minority, low-income, and first-generation college-going youth cannot complete high school on time and be prepared for success in college. According to this report, the first to examine the characteristics of early college schools and programs that have been open four or more years, many of the students earn college credit—even degrees—while still in high school, and graduates immediately enroll in college.

MAKING THE GRADE: TEXAS EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOLS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE

Across the state of Texas, 10,000 students attend 44 early college high schools and 5 T-STEM (Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) schools. The schools are improving student outcomes, and this performance is being achieved by youth who are underrepresented in college, including Hispanic youth, economically disadvantaged students, and first-generation college goers. Early college schools have become an essential part of Texas’ strategy to develop a young workforce that can compete in a global, knowledge-based economy. The benefits to taxpayers of having more students progress toward college completion makes the state’s support for starting up these sustainable schools a prudent move.

SPOTLIGHT ON RESEARCH: GRADUATES ADAPTING, THRIVING, AND LEADING IN COLLEGE

Early colleges foster academic resiliency and leadership skills in their students. This is the lesson from a five-year JFF study led by Dr. Michael Nakkula that focuses on students at two early colleges that opened in 2003. Chosen for their differing student demographics, school types, and geographic areas, Wallis Annenberg High School in Los Angeles, California, and Dayton Early College Academy in Dayton, Ohio, experienced many of the same successes—and challenges—in terms of preparing their students for college success.

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LIFE BEYOND EARLY COLLEGE (WEBINAR)

HOW STUDENTS BEST ACQUIRE NONACADEMIC SKILLS FOR COLLEGE SUCCESS

When early college graduates leave the supports of their schools behind, they need a strong foundation of nonacademic skills to succeed in college and careers. In a webinar available on the JFF website, education researcher David Conley describes these skills as the attitudes and behavioral attributes that students must demonstrate to succeed in postsecondary education (e.g., time management, persistence with difficult tasks, college knowledge). “Life Beyond Early College” discusses how early colleges help students develop these skills and how some early college graduates are faring in college today, based on a seven-year longitudinal study.

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Jobs for the Future develops, implements, and promotes new education and workforce strategies that help communities, states, and the nation compete in a global economy. In more than 200 communities across 43 states, JFF improves the pathways leading from high school to college to family-sustaining careers.

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