Participation in the Early College initiative, in which Hawaiʻi students can earn college and high school credits while still in high school, increased by 11 percent from 2012 through 2017, according to a new report.
The College and Career Readiness Indicators Report (CCRI) released by the Hawaiʻi P–20 Partnership for Education highlights the effectiveness of programs and policies intended to boost student achievement and strengthen transitions between high school, college and career.
The report says 17 percent of the class of 2017 enrolled in college courses while in high school with 8 percent earning six or more college credits. The number of Early College offerings by the University of Hawaiʻi at high school campuses skyrocketed from about eight classes in the 2012-2013 school year to more than 269 classes for the 2016-2017 school year.
“The increase in Early College participation continues to support our 55 by ‘25 goal,” said Stephen Schatz, executive director of Hawaiʻi P–20. “It is a testament to the partnership between the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education and the University of Hawaiʻi to ensure more of our high school students graduate prepared for college and successfully earn their degrees.”
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Hawaiʻi P–20 officials point to national research and local data that shows that students who participate in Early College are more likely to enroll and persist in college and the initiative is particularly helpful to economically disadvantaged students.
For more on the CCRI report, go to the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education news release.
