New Mexico Public Education Department: Early College High Schools

The New Mexico’s Public Education Department (PED) is seeking to establish of up to four Early College High Schools (ECHSs) statewide that serve students who attend New Mexico Public Schools. ECHSs simultaneously offer a high school diploma and a college-level associate degree, or up to two years of college credit toward a bachelor’s degree. ECHSs are tuition free and are poised to better serve low-income youth, first-generation college-goers, English Language Learners, ethnically diverse students, and other young people underrepresented in higher education. As part of the program, students undertake rigorous academics and career technical education coursework in order to graduate with a diploma and a certificate in order to work in fields with the highest growth, demand, skills, and wages. ECHSs promote Advanced Placement and the advancement of dual credit courses to help high school students make a seamless transition through graduation and into college. ECHS structures are innovative, interactive, research-based, and support positive outcomes for high school aged students. Integrated academic and Career Technical Education (CTE) opportunities support academic growth in meeting the Common Core Standards (CCSS) and the Common Career Technical Core Standards (CCTCS) in a structured program of study which meets local and state graduation requirements, contains a structured four-course sequence of sufficient size, scope, and quality in the CTE component, and leads to work readiness credentials recognized by business and industry. ECHS partnerships include community members, representatives from local business and industry, as well as accredited, credit-granting postsecondary institutions. Programming includes meaningful work-based learning experiences that align to the most dynamic sectors of New Mexico’s economy.

Amount: An estimated award may be $75,000 per ECHS, however, an average award may be $100,000 or in excess thereof. To the extent practical, the PED will distribute funds equitably among geographic areas within the State, including urban and rural communities.

Eligibility: An eligible entity may be a public Local Education Agency (LEA) including State-Chartered Charter Schools, Regional Education Cooperatives (RECs), or a consortium of two or more eligible entities. Criteria for Targeted Schools: Among all applicants, the PED is seeking eligible entities who especially serve students attending struggling (D or F) schools in low income areas, rural areas, and non or limited Carl D. Perkins funded LEAs.

Link: http://ped.state.nm.us/ped/rfps.html

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