Tag Archives: EdWorks

Thanks to Smart Scholars as ECHS Week 2013 Concludes

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Early College High Schools week collage

The Smart Scholars Early College High School (ECHS) Program brings together a powerful public/private partnership between SUNY, EDWorks, and the New York Department of Education. As Early College High School Week concludes, we wanted to recognize schools that integrate students in a college environment to model successful behavior and high expectations while maintaining a supportive and nurturing environment.

“Thank you to all of the Smart Scholars programs for participating in another successful Early College High School Week and to those who celebrate all year long by continuing to provide a quality and rigorous education to traditionally underrepresented students. To the school districts, for making early college a priority in your communities; to the teachers and faculty, for putting your students on the fast track to success through college and career readiness; and to the students, for working hard to ensure a brighter future for you and your families.”

-Andrea Mulkey, Director of Early College, SUNY/EDWorks

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STEM Smart Scholars Gain College Readiness with Early College High Schools

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Early College High School WeekThe Smart Scholars Early College High School (ECHS) Program brings together a powerful public/private partnership between SUNY, EDWorks, and the New York Department of Education. As we near the conclusion of Early College High School Week, we offer some insight into the history of the SUNY Smart Scholars – Early College High School partnership.

Preparing students for college-readiness and a career in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) is not only a priority in the Governor’s 2013-2014 Executive Budget but also a program focus in 11 of New York’s Smart Scholars Early College High Schools. Since the program’s inception in Fall 2010, over 3,000 STEM-focused credits have been earned by over 1,000 students state-wide. We are pleased to introduce you to some of the Smart Scholars graduating from STEM-focused ECHSs.

 

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SUNY celebrates New York State’s longest running ECHS programs

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Early College High School WeekWelcome to the 2013 Celebration of Early College High School Week! The Smart Scholars Early College High School (ECHS) Program brings together a powerful public/private partnership between SUNY, EDWorks, and the New York Department of Education. Here we offer some insight into the history of the SUNY Smart Scholars – Early College HIgh School partnership.

SUNY’s Early College High School partnership with EDWorks and the State Education Department began when the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded a $6 million grant to launch New York’s Smart Scholars Initiative in late 2009. The mission was to make earning college credits accessible to traditionally underrepresented high school students and motivate students to not only graduate high school, but also pursue a higher education.

Nationally, The Early College High School Initiative has had enormous success. Serving a population encompassing 77% students of color, 57% students from low-income households and 45% first generation college goers, the average early college graduate earns 36 credits or 30% of a Bachelors degree and 60% of an Associate’s degree.

New York State’s 23 Smart Scholars programs have made it possible for over 5,100 students to earn over 8,723 transferable college credits in just two years. In honor of ECHS Week and the accomplishments Smart Scholars state-wide, we would like to highlight our longest running Early College High Schools, including the nation’s oldest, Bard High School Early College.

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The Education Pipeline Presents: Smart Scholars Early College High Schools

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Generation SUNY is happy to share with you one of the many exciting initiatives that the Office of the Education Pipeline is working on statewide. The Smart Scholars Early College High School (ECHS) Program brings together a powerful public/private partnership between SUNY, EDWorks, and the New York Department of Education. Through the program, higher education collaborates with public school districts or public charter schools to create Early College High School programs. These programs provide students who are traditionally underrepresented in post-secondary education with the opportunity,  preparation, and support to accelerate the completion of their high school studies and graduate college and career-ready.

New York’s Smart Scholars have a head start toward a college degree and a successful career. While they are in the program, students receive additional academic support from the high school/college partnerships to make sure they are at grade level and ready to participate in rigorous high school and collegiate courses. As participants of the program, our ECHS students earn an average of 20 and up to 60 transferable college credits, and earn a Regents diploma. The result is increased high school graduation and college completion rates, reduced college tuition costs for families, and reduced time to complete a college degree.

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