1. Massachusetts Early College Designation
Information Sessions
Summer 2017

2. Today’s Objectives Background on the Early College Designation
Introduction to the Guiding Principles and Early College Designation Criteria
Designation process
Application, timeline, and expectations
Funding and other considerations
Post-designation implementation
Q&A

3. Background on Designation Design Process
January 2016
Launch of Parthenon Study of Early College in Massachusetts
December 2016
Parthenon Report released
January 24, 2017
Joint BHE/BESE Motion, creation of ECJC
February 2017
DHE and DESE staff form working committee in partnership with EOE, to develop criteria and process for Early College Designation
March 23, 2017
Launch of the MA Early College Initiative - Event at UMass Club
April 12, 2017
First ECJC meeting, review of draft Designation Criteria
May 2, 2017
Presentation and feedback from BHE Academic Affairs committee
April/May 2017
First round of outreach to policy leaders, early college and dual enrollment experts and stakeholders
May 31, 2017
Second ECJC meeting, review and feedback on updated draft criteria
Early June 2017
Additional stakeholder outreach, with refinements based on ECJC feedback
June 20, 2017
ECJC recommends Early College Designation Criteria to BHE for Board approval – Motion passed
June 27, 2017
ECJC recommends Early College Designation Criteria to BESE for Board approval – Motion passed

4. The Goal of the Designation Process
A new process for Massachusetts
The Goal of the Designation Process
Identify current successful models to ensure that as early college expands within Massachusetts, the effort will benefit from successful local and national models
Promote innovation in the development of early college programs and to establish clear, coherent, and unifying expectation as to the most effective structure for early college
Prioritize alleviating the barriers to success of early college in Massachusetts

5. Five Guiding Principles
Approved jointly by BHE and BESE
Five Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles of an Early College School
Equitable Access
Prioritizing students underrepresented in higher education
Eliminating barriers to student participation
Guided Academic Pathways
Experiences beyond the classroom, exposure to career opportunities
Credits toward postsecondary credential (12)
College-level rigor and experience
Enhanced Student Support
Wraparound services to promote success and completion

6. Five Guiding Principles (cont’d)
Approved jointly by BHE and BESE
Five Guiding Principles (cont’d)
Guiding Principles of an Early College School
Connection to Career
Exposure to targeted pathway opportunities intended to lead to careers
Effective Partnerships
At least one institution of higher education and one secondary school and/or district

7. Applicant Criteria Structured partnerships
At least one IHE and one K-12 partner
Must apply jointly under the signature of the institutional president and the district superintendent
Both applicants will be held accountable for outcomes
Cohort program within a larger school, or an entire early college high school

8. Early College Designation Process and Criteria
Approved jointly by BHE and BESE
Early College Designation Process and Criteria
Two-part application process structured around five guiding principles
Preliminary Designation
Final Designation application
Early College Criteria is basis for application questions
Joint application/partnership between institution of higher education & K-12 district
Electronic submission, using WizeHive
ECJC approves final designations
RFP for competitive grant application
Separate from designation
Requirements of RFP are connected to Preliminary Designation process and Criteria

9. Preliminary Designation Application
Two-stage process
Preliminary Designation Application
The initial application determines whether the applicant receives Preliminary Designation, which would qualify them to submit a Final Designation Application.
Applicant must sufficiently address plans for each of the five guiding principles, according to specified criteria.
Key questions for consideration:
Is the proposed program structured to eliminate barriers to student participation and designed to prioritize students underrepresented in higher education enrollment and completion?
Does the program outline a clear academic pathway from secondary to post-secondary education and onto a career?
Does the program identify academic and nonacademic challenges and supports for at-risk, first-generation students?
Are career awareness and immersion activities included as an integral part of the early college program?
Does the program propose robust and viable partnerships?

10. Preliminary Designation Application
Key dates
Preliminary Designation Application
September 8, 2017
Non-binding letter of intent due
September 27, 2017
Preliminary Designation Application and RFP submissions due
October
Review Preliminary Designation Applications
The RFP will be judged on impact and quality
By November 1– Preliminary Designations announced
Applicants notified of possible funding and advance to Final Designation phase

11. Final Designation Application
Two-stage process
Final Designation Application
Receiving a Preliminary Designation will allow the applicant to apply for a Final Designation.
Final Designation is also structured around the five guiding principles, with additional requirements to demonstrate evidence of effective implementation. For example:
Signed MOU(s)
Developed policies
Calendars of activities and schedules
Staffing plans
The Final Designation indicates that a Program has completed all necessary requirements and is either already enrolled or is prepared to enroll students for the following academic year.

12. Final Designation Application
Key dates
Final Designation Application
November/December
Staff conduct Final Designation information sessions
February 2, 2018 – Final Designation Application due
February – Final Designation Application review by staff
Early March 2018
ECJC convenes to review Final Designation Application summaries and interagency working group recommendations
Final Designation conferred by ECJC

13. How are Pathways funded?
Applicants will have to assure funding
Small amount of competitive funding for AY (approx. 10 districts)
Planning funds - November 2017 – June 30, 2018; maximum funding $10,000 per application
Implementation funds - July 1, 2018 – Dec. 31, 2019; approx. $100,000 per program
EOE exploring sustainable funding source

14. Electronic Application
Posted on DHE and ESE websites

15. Electronic Application (cont’d)
Both the preliminary and final designation applications will be submitted electronically, via WizeHive
RFP due along with Preliminary Designation Application
lege
For reference purposes, the application is available in Word and PDF format

16. Designation Timeline Notes
An applicant that is awarded Preliminary Designation in the fall of 2017 is then eligible to apply for Final Designation – due on February 2, 2018
Programs achieving designation would be expected to launch in the fall of 2018
If applicants do not receive Final Designation by the Early College Joint Committee in the spring of they may reapply in the fall of 2018

17. Post-Designation: Implementation
5 years term length for the designation
Designation is a performance contract
Clear link between the performance metrics in the MOU and the Commonwealth’s monitoring of performance
Tied to renewal of a program’s designation
Annual reporting obligations
Review/check-in after the first three years

18. Post-Designation: Implementation (con’t)
Ongoing support
Convenings/Professional Learning Communities
Technical assistance from ESE, DHE
Oversight & evaluation
Early College performance criteria
Annual report
Site visits

19. Other Considerations Cohort size Collective bargaining Sustainability
Cost-effectiveness
Collective bargaining
How do you address this already?

20. Q&A

21. Keep in Touch DHE ESE pathways@doe.mass.edu
Christine Williams, Director of Strategic Initiatives
ESE
Nyal Fuentes, College and Career Readiness Coordinator
Jennifer Gwatkin, Early College Coordinator