Some high schoolers earn college degrees, and more schools should jump on board
Just when I thought it would be difficult to track down more likeminded U.S. programs dedicated to prepping high schoolers for college, my skepticism was trumped by an incredibly bold program gaining speed across the country.
The Early College High School Initiative was started in 2002 to redesign high schools such that their curriculum offers up to two years of college credit (FOR FREE) to current students. Lemme repeat that. Get two years of college under your belt in high school. For free.
More than 200 schools in 24 states have signed on, including nearly a dozen which made this year’s U.S. News & World Report’s list of America’s Best High Schools.
So, the Early College High School Initiative doesn’t have a snazzy acronym, unfortunately. Henceforth, we can refer to it as Early College.
Early College doesn’t just offer its college-toting services to already-robust programs replete with college preparatory programs. Instead, they target low-income students, first-generation college prospectives and English language learners, similar to GEAR UP, which I wrote about last week.
While national polls estimate that about 66% of high schoolers attend college upon graduation, a whopping 89% of students in Early College program enroll in furthering their education. I wish I could confirm if that pun was intended.
However, it’s easy to gush over forward-thinking BG-like programs without acknowledging criticisms of the program, of which there is some. South Carolina’s SC Now cited a recent dispute in one of their local school districts, stemming from administrators’ inability to implement the program without shifting students between different campuses. Parents protested at the lack of organization and structure, understandably.
As a BetterGrads volunteer and supporter, I recognize the logistical difficulties in trying to take a stab at our often-needy education system. At the very least, we’re sending a clear, consistent message that we will continue to support the idea that every American student can, and should, have access to a college education.
If BetterGrads, GEAR UP, Early College and similar programs strike a chord with you, follow us on Twitter to keep up-to-date with activity keeping our dream afloat.
