ECHS

Purpose of ECHS

The Texas Educaton Agency's (TEA) Early College High School (ECHS) initiative is an open-enrollment program that blends college and high school coursework, enabling students to earn up to two years of college credit (60 hours), tuition-free, while enrolled in high school. This program aims to support historically underserved and at-risk students, providing an access ramp to postsecondary education for those most in need.

Students enrolled in the ECHS program receive highly personalized attention and follow personalized graduation plans. Dedicated staff mentor and guide these students, helping them develop critical soft skills needed for college and career success.

According to research done by the American Institutes for Research, ECHS students are nearly three times as likely to earn an associate degree or bachelor’s degree than their non-ECHS peers.

Program Distinctions

• Reduces barriers to college access
• Allows students to earn 60+ hours of dual college credit at no cost
• Increases college and career readiness
• Creates a seamless transition from high school to college through local partnerships with institutions of higher education
• Provides academic and social support services through dedicated staff
• Develops critical soft skills needed for college and career success

School Profile

Bryan Collegiate provides college experiences to high school students.

ECHS Interactive Blueprint

The TEA developed a roadmap of benchmarks, design elements, and products essential to the ECHS model’s success. The ECHS Blueprint also outlines student success metrics, Outcomes-Based Measures, that are taken into consideration for designation.