ECHS Blueprint

About PSJA ISD's Early College High Schools

Through PSJA ISD's nationally recognized Early College Program in partnership with South Texas College and other higher-education institutions, high school students can graduate with up to an Associate Degree or 60 college hours before their high school graduation free of cost. 

All PSJA ISD high school are designated Early College, which makes them innovative high schools that allow students to attend college and high school simultaneously. Early College High Schoos offer rigorous instruction and provide academic, social and emotional support services to help students succeed. 

Benchmark 1 - School Design

1.6 Leadership Team Strategic Priorities

• ECHS/IHE Leadership Meeting Agendas
• School Board and Boards of Regents' Presentations
• Documents outlining the strategic priorities for the current year and/or long-term priorities of the ECHS partnership

1.7 Leadership Team Key Roles

• Description of each member and role in leadership team

1.8 ECHS Staff

• ECHS leader/IHE liaison meeting agendas and relevant materials

1.9 ECHS Staff Professional Development

• Mentor/induction program plans
• Annual training or professional development plan for ECHS and IHE faculty

Benchmark 2-Partnerships

2.1 Goal of Higher Education Partnerships

• Final, signed, and executed MOU/ILA or similar agreement

Benchmark 3 -Target Population

3.2 Documenting Enrollment Procedures

• Written admission policy, and enrollment application 
• Written recruitment plan, including a timeline of recruitment and enrollment events, and recruitment materials for distribution at feeder middle schools and other appropriate locations in the community

3.3 Stakeholder Engagement

• Brochures and marketing in Spanish, English, and/or other relevant language(s)
• Written communication plan for targeting identified audiences (e.g., parents, community members, school boards, higher education personnel, etc.)

3.4 Lottery 

• Written lottery procedures (district-level or campus-level)

Benchmark 4 - Academic Infrastructure

4.3 Course Sequence

• Crosswalk aligning high school and college courses, grades 9 through 12, which enables a student to earn an associate degree or up to 60 college credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree
• Master schedules

4.7 College Readiness

• Calendar of TSIA scheduled test administration dates, sign-up process, and intervention expectations
• Aggregate reports of TSIA exam performance
• Testing calendar and schedule for SAT, ACT, or other college readiness assessments

Benchmark 5 - Student Supports

5.1 Bridge Programs

• Bridge program curriculum and schedule

5.2 Advising

• Schedule of advising events

5.3 Student Intervention

• Tutoring schedules

5.4 Classroom Supports

• Advisory/study skills curriculum material

5.6 Enrichment Opportunities

• Calendar of enrichment events and family outreach events