Benchmarks
TEA - CCRSM Required Artifacts
All Early College High School (ECHS) artifacts shall be published on the Early College High School’s website and made available to TEA upon request. The artifacts shall be maintained in accordance with the local records retention policy.
The Early College High School (ECHS) shall establish school structures and policies, regularly convene leadership teams and ensure adequate staff capacity for the successful implementation and sustainability of the ECHS program.
The Early College High School (ECHS) must have a current, signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) or interlocal agreement (ILA) with each Institution of Higher Education (IHE) that outlines key issues related to the planning, implementation, and sustainability of the ECHS program. Stakeholders shall review the MOU or ILA annually.
Benchmark 3: Target Population
The Early College High School (ECHS) shall target and enroll historically underserved students. The campus must enable students who are at-risk of dropping out or those who wish to accelerate completion of high school to combine high school courses and college-level courses. Every ECHS must enroll at least a 9th grade class during their first year of implementation. If an ECHS phases out their services, the academy must be prepared to provide services to each enrolled cohort through graduation.
Benchmark 4: Academic Infrastructure
The Early College High School (ECHS) must provide a rigorous course of study that allows students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and enable a student to combine high school courses and college-level courses with the goal of earning an associate degree or up to 60 semester credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree.
The Early College High School (ECHS) must provide wrap-around strategies and services involving multiple stakeholders to strengthen academic, technical, and individual support for students to be successful in their ECHS program.