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ACC, AISD Partner to Develop Early College High Schools
The Austin Community College District is partnering with the Austin School District to develop an Early College High School initiative that will allow students to earn a college degree in the same time it takes them to complete a high school diploma.
The AISD Board of Trustees approved an interlocal agreement with ACC on December 13; the ACC board reviewed the agreement on December 14 and is scheduled to take action at its meeting on January 24.
The agreement would establish Early College High School programs at LBJ and Reagan high schools.
“ACC is a leader in providing opportunities for high school students to earn college credit,” says Dr. Mary Hensley, executive vice president of college operations. “The Early College High School demonstrates how ACC works closely with area school districts to develop innovative programs that benefit students and their families.”
The Early College High School program combines high school and college so students (including low-income youth, first generation college-goers, English-language learners, students of color, and other young people underrepresented in higher education) can simultaneously earn a high school diploma and an associate degree, or up to two years of college credit tuition-free, taught by faculty who are certified to teach both high school and college courses.
“We are excited by this partnership that creates tremendous learning opportunities for students at two of our high schools,” says AISD Superintendent Meria Carstarphen. “But more important than creating opportunities for existing students, this partnership creates the capacity for us to develop a college-bound culture for students in some of our East Austin schools. This will have an immeasurable future impact on the District, as well as the larger Austin community.”
The Early College High School initiative will be funded through the Gates Foundation as well as supported through local AISD funds. Additional funds for Reagan High School are provided through TEA’s Texas Title 1 Priorities Schools (TTPS) Grant, formally known as the School Improvement Grant (SIG). Reagan and LBJ are developing their models during this school year, creating Early College High School models for full implementation in the 2011-2012 school year.
The agreement approved by the AISD board established ACC as the higher education partner charged with organizing and managing the Early College High School programs for LBJ and Reagan High Schools, under the direction of the ACC executive vice president of college operations and the AISD assistant superintendent for high schools.
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One Response to “ACC, AISD Partner to Develop Early College High Schools”
Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO, shares his thoughts on issues important to the college community.
This is a great opportunity for our area students.