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18 Feb 2020
Brief

The Lasting Benefits of Early College High Schools

Considerations and Recommendations for Policymakers

The high school years are a pivotal stage for students to prepare to succeed in college and careers. Most jobs today require a postsecondary degree—and most students want to go to college. There are substantial challenges, however, in reaching the goal of college and career readiness for all students, particularly for students from low-income families and students of color. Early College High Schools, also known as Early Colleges, could help policymakers and educators surmount these critical challenges.

Learn more about our Early College work >>

In recent years, AIR has conducted a rigorous impact evaluation (2013, 2014) and a follow-up study (2019), as well as a cost-benefit analysis (2019) of Early Colleges. This policy brief summarizes key findings from this work and indicates implications and recommendations for federal and state policymakers.

About Early Colleges

Originally created as part of the Early College High School Initiative spearheaded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Early Colleges are committed to serving students traditionally underrepresented in higher education. As a type of dual enrollment program, Early Colleges offer all their students the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree or up to two years of college credits toward a bachelor’s degree in high school—at no or low cost to the students. Early Colleges also provide support to students as they plan for their college education, helping them select college courses, transfer to a 4-year college, and identify sources of financial aid.

PDF icon The Lasting Benefits of Early College High Schools: Considerations and Recommendations for Policymakers (PDF)

Related Projects

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Project

Evaluating the Impact of Early College High Schools

Early Colleges partner with colleges and universities to offer students an opportunity to earn an associate’s degree or up to two years of college credits toward a bachelor’s degree during high school at no or low cost to their families. In partnership with SRI International, AIR evaluated the Early College High School Initiative using qualitative and quantitative data sources to document and describe the implementation of this initiative and the performance of students, particularly in comparison to other students.

Related Work

4 Mar 2020
Spotlight

Evidence of Effectiveness for Early College High Schools

Many students, particularly those who are low-income and/or of color, lack access to a well-rounded high school education. Inadequate preparation in high school leaves high school graduates with fewer choices and pathways to postsecondary education. Early College High Schools focus explicitly on overcoming these challenges.
Topic: 
Education, College and Career Readiness
30 Dec 2019
Report

The Costs and Benefits of Early College High Schools

Early Colleges (ECs) represent an expanding college readiness reform that provides students an opportunity to earn up to 60 college credits in high school through dual-enrollment coursework. This study complements an earlier AIR study that examines the impacts of ECs in substantial detail.
Topic: 
Education, College and Career Readiness
12 Sep 2019
Report

Early College, Continued Success: Longer-Term Impact of Early College High Schools

Early College High School Programs offer driven high school students academic rigor and early exposure to higher education. This federally funded study builds on the first two evaluations of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Early College High School Initiative.
Topic: 
Education, College and Career Readiness
15 Jan 2014
Report

Early College, Continued Success: Early College High School Initiative Impact Study (2014)

The findings in this report, which extend the Early College, Early Success study’s original results by including an additional year of data, affirm the core findings: Early College students had a greater opportunity than their peers to enroll in and graduate from college.
Topic: 
Education, College and Career Readiness

Further Reading

  • Early College, Continued Success: Longer-Term Impact of Early College High Schools
  • How Did Early College High Schools Affect Students' Postsecondary Outcomes?
  • Evidence of Effectiveness for Early College High Schools
  • The Lasting Benefits and Strong Returns of Early College High Schools
  • Early College, Early Success: Early College High School Initiative Impact Study (2013)
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Kristina Zeiser

Kristina Zeiser

Senior Researcher
Mengli Song

Mengli Song

Principal Researcher

Topic

Education
College and Career Readiness

RESEARCH. EVALUATION. APPLICATION. IMPACT.

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