Pathway to Endorsement
For students to attend college, clear pathways must be in place to help them in their educational journey. The same is true for the high schools working to graduate their students on to higher learning. Planning and preparation are paramount for Early College High School success and sustainability. That’s why CELL developed an endorsement process – in coordination with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education - to facilitate implementation and recognize schools who meet all Early College High School benchmarks. Endorsed Early College High Schools exemplify the commitment, collaborations and connections necessary to equip students with the attitude and aptitude for postsecondary success.
Each fall, CELL accepts applications from schools seeking endorsement as high-quality implementers of the Early College High School model.
Early College Endorsement Process
Exploring: Year 1
- Collaborate with CELL
- Find higher education partner
- Design an implementation plan
Emerging: Years 2-4
- Establish a memorandum of understanding with a higher education partner
- Construct and align an EC curriculum
- Build a college-going culture with student & staff supports
- Develop college/career readiness exploration opportunities
- Identify and provide guidance for EC student cohort
- Create performance data collection process
Pursuing Endorsements: Years 4-5
- Continue and enhance emerging practices
- Collect/analyze data for first and subsequent cohort
- Ensure availability of general education transfer core courses and relevance/value of associate degree and CTE pathways
- Submit letter of intent to CELL to begin endorsement process including a portfolio and site visit
Endorsement:
- Address endorsement recommendations
- Expand/refine practices
- Recognize endorsement and "brand" program by adopting Early College High School label
- Apply for re-endorsement after four years
* Timeframes may vary by school