Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (left) and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
BOSTON -On Thursday, the Baker-Polito Administration released applications for partnerships between high schools, colleges, and employers to become designated as Early College or Innovation Pathway programs, marking the first time such programs will adhere to a set of standards aimed at ensuring consistent quality while growing and supporting the state’s talent pipeline. With the release of applications, school districts, institutions of higher education and industry partners are welcome to work jointly to submit proposals that will allow their programs to receive formal designation by the state.
“The Commonwealth’s Early College and Innovation Pathway programs play an important role in encouraging many young people to pursue higher education, while exposing them to high-demand career opportunities,” Governor Charlie Baker said. “Our Administration is committed to significantly increasing the number of early college seats available to students over the next decade and today’s announcement is an important first step toward that goal.”
Early College programs are partnerships between high schools and colleges that provide students with the opportunity to experience and complete college-level coursework in a rigorous and supportive environment, while simultaneously gaining exposure to a variety of career opportunities. To be designated an early college program, high schools will need to offer students at no cost the opportunity to earn a minimum of 12 college credits prior to graduation.
Innovation Pathways are partnerships between high schools and local employers that connect student learning to broadly-defined industry sectors that are in demand in the regional and state economy. Participation in this kind of pathway can lead students to opportunities for meaningful careers, while preparing for postsecondary education and training. Based on current jobs data provided by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Innovation Pathway will focus on manufacturing, information, healthcare, professional and scientific industry sectors.
Through the designation process, the Departments of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Education are asking K-12 schools to work with colleges or industry partners to jointly design models of Early College or Innovation Pathway programs. Schools can also apply for competitive $10,000 planning grants, with up to $100,000 available through resources from the state’s STEM Advisory Council and the New Skills for Youth Grant, which the state received in January from JP Morgan Chase and the Council of Chief State School Officers.
Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski (WNG file photo)
Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said the district is looking into this new program, and will be participating in two webinars over the next couple of weeks.
“We are already looking into and implementing many of the initiatives that are included in the state’s Early College and Innovation Pathways plan. Our Early College partnership with Westfield State University allows Juniors to take English and American History courses for college and high school credit at Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy. Seniors will be eligible to take courses on the campus of Westfield State University. We also have dual enrollment agreements with Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College. Most recently, we have arranged for our students to take coursework at American International College as well. Through the Westfield Education to Business Alliance, Westfield Schools are also working with business and industry to identify future labor force needs. We are hopeful that this grant opportunity will provide additional funding for our work to provide a number of opportunities for our students,” Czaporowski said.
Through the combined efforts of the Department of Higher Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Commonwealth has developed a set of guiding principles that provide a powerful context for all high-quality college and career pathways (HQCCPs), as well as a more specific set of characteristics that define these pathways:
· Equitable access
· Guided academic pathway
· Enhanced student support
· Relevant connection to career
· Deep partnerships between high schools, community colleges, state universities and industry
Embedded within those principles are the core elements of a high-quality college and career pathway:
· Alignment with labor market data
· College and career counseling
· Technical coursework
· Work-based learning, such as internships
· Post-secondary links
· Credential attainment
“We are confident that both early college and innovation pathways will help engage students and prepare them for success after school to be ready for both college and careers,” Acting Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeff Wulfson said. “We are proud to work with our partners in higher education and industry for students’ benefit.”
Additional information about the early college and innovation pathway programs, including applications, can be found Additional information about the early college and innovation pathway programs, including applications, can be found online at www.doe.mass.edu.
