October 20, 2017
The NYS Education Department has released the Early College High School ECHS Program. This 5 year grant offers funds to school districts as lead agencies in partnership with institutions of higher education (IHEs), and community and business organizations. A signed MOU between the applicant district and one or more IHEs must be submitted with the application. There is a total of $15 million available statewide, with the maximum award increasing each year of implementation, from $100,000 to $250,000 in the final year, in $50,000 increments. NYSED expects to make up to 19 awards. Eligible applications from the Southern Tier and North Country Postsecondary Education Regions of the Regents will each receive one grant before any other awards are made to other eligible applicants. NYSED describes the grant:
“Through the creation of ECHS Programs consisting of partnerships between public school districts and eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs), historically underrepresented and/or economically disadvantaged students in Grades 9-12 will be provided additional counseling and academic support and college courses which will be used to both meet the high school graduation/Regents diploma requirements and earn a minimum of 24 and up to 60 transferable college credits or an associate degree at no cost to their families.”
Up to 10 bonus points are available for applications from three different categories. A minimum score of 65, without the bonus points, is required for eligibility to receive the award. The categories are when:
- The majority of students are enrolled from one or more Focus districts and/or Priority or Focus Schools. – 3 Bonus Points
- The partnership is an existing ECHS that can demonstrate its graduates have earned an average of 24 or more college credits for at least 2 years prior to September 1, 2017. – 4 Bonus Points
- It is an ECH projects that focuses on Computer Science or related field. – 3 Bonus Points
Via Evaluation has conducted data analysis for this grant. We could assist your partnership in data analysis prior to the submission of your proposal, and with data reports useful for the required semi-annual reports to NYSED.
If you would like to hear more about how Via Evaluation can support your work with Early College High School, or receive our newsletter, please call Gary Ciurczak at (716) 362-0627 or email us at [email protected].
