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College For All Students
Story posted May 19, 2009
Results:
• 98.3% of students progress from 9th to 12th grade--the highest completion rate in the county
• Approximately 86% of the current junior class has already earned up to 32 college credits, with many seniors earning upward of 60
The Hidalgo Independent School District (HISD) is located in South Texas along the U.S./Mexico border in one of the poorest counties in the state. Forty-five percent of Hidalgo’s residents live below the poverty level and only 3.9 percent of residents have earned a college degree. More than 90 percent of HISD students are economically disadvantaged and more than half have limited English proficiency.
[Despite the challenges faced by students in these demographics,] one of the district’s goals is “college attainment for all students.” It seeks to improve student graduation rates, college awareness, and postsecondary opportunities. [To do so, it developed the Hidalgo Early College High School, a member of the Early College High School Initiative network.]
The Hidalgo Early College High School project (ECHS) promotes a college-going culture, rigorous and relevant instruction, and connections to postsecondary education for every high school student. ECHS is divided into two academies: Health, Science, and Technology; and Human Services. Students select pathways leading to four-year college study, technical study, or certification study. They begin taking college coursework during their freshmen year and may earn up to 60 college credits at no cost to the students or their families.
[In developing this program,] the Hidalgo School Board entered into a five-year partnership in 2005 with the Gates Foundation; the Texas High School Project; and the University of Texas, Pan American. The board convinced these partners to modify the traditional Early College model, where only a select group of students participate, and instead support a model in which all students at what used to be known only as Hidalgo High could participate. Board members support ECHS through the approval of construction for new science labs, a library research center, and allocation of resources for college textbooks and transportation. The board’s leadership includes approval of incentives to support ECHS teachers earning master’s degrees, hiring of additional instructional staff, and encouraging partnerships with colleges and universities.
Results
Access to college has become a reality for every student. Hidalgo ECHS has nurtured a college-going culture and postsecondary connections for all students. It serves approximately 800 students with college credit opportunities, beginning at the freshmen level and continuing through the senior year. Efforts have led to approximately 86 percent of current junior class members already earning up to 32 college credits, and with many seniors earning upward of 60 college credits.
Another measure of success is a 98.3 percent completion rate of students progressing from ninth to 12th grade, which is the highest completion rate of school districts in Hidalgo County. New opportunities for economically disadvantaged students have encouraged students to stay in school. Recently, Hidalgo ECHS was rated 11th among the top 100 “Best High Schools in America” by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, it was rated No. 1 in Texas.
For additional information, please contact:
Eduardo Cancino
Superindendent, Hidalgo Independent School District
edcancino@hidalgo-isd.esc1.net
Or visit http://hidalgo.schoolspan.com/school/hidalgohigh/index.asp
Reprinted with permission from the Magna Awards 2009.
Copyright 2009. National School Boards Association. All rights reserved.
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