Early College High School Initiative (ECHSI)
About the Intervention
The Early College High School Initiative (ECHSI) provides underserved students with exposure to and support in college while they are in high school. Early Colleges partner with colleges and universities to offer all 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 the students. The intervention serves students in grades 9-12, with most Early Colleges located on college campuses. Early Colleges provide a variety of supports including tutoring, advisories, college preparatory information, and academic support classes. The program integrates rigorous high school curriculum with college coursework, with students typically starting college courses in ninth grade. Seven of the ten study Early Colleges had course sequences allowing students to earn at least two years of college credit. The underlying assumption is that engaging underrepresented students in rigorous curriculum tied to earning college credits will motivate them and increase their access to postsecondary education and credentials after high school.
Statistical Findings
Positive effect on high school ELA assessment scores
Positive effect on high school graduation
No effect on high school mathematics assessment scores
No effect on high school GPA
Positive effect on ever enrolling in college
Positive effect on enrolling in college by Year 4
Positive effect on enrolling in college by Year 5
Positive effect on ever enrolling in a 2-year college
Positive effect on enrolling in a 2-year college by Year 4
Positive effect on enrolling in a 2-year college by Year 5
Positive effect on ever enrolling in a 4-year college
Positive effect on enrolling in a 4-year college by Year 4
Positive effect on enrolling in a 4-year college by Year 5
Positive effect on earning any postsecondary degree
No effect on earning a certificate
Positive effect on earning an associate's degree
Positive effect on earning a bachelor's degree
Positive effect on enrolling in a 4-year college after high school
Positive effect on earning any postsecondary degree after high school
Positive effect on earning an associate's degree after high school
Positive effect on earning a bachelor's degree after high school
No effect on developmental coursework
No effect on college GPA
Positive effect on perceptions of academic difficulty in college
No effect on persistence in college
More Intervention Details
Focus Areas
Economically DisadvantagedPrograms & Services
General Education, Early CollegeDelivery Methods
Face-to-FaceDisability Support
N/ATarget Groups
Student(s)Source
Andrea, B., Clarisse, H., Gur, H., Jennifer, F., Jennifer, S., Joel, K., Kaeli, K., Kristina, Z., Lauren, C., Lori, T., Mengli, S. & Michael, G. (2013). Early College, Early Success: Early College High School Initiative Impact Study (ED577243). ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED577243.pdf.
Study Demographics
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Participant Race
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Participant Gender
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Other Participant Characteristics
Geographical Setting
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