in partnership with
About the Massachusetts Early College Initiative
The purpose and vision of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE) and Board of Elementary & Secondary Education (BESE) is for the creation, growth and sustainability of high-quality early college partnerships connecting our state’s districts and high schools with our state’s colleges. These partnerships are aimed at giving thousands of Massachusetts students, especially first-generation college-goers, access to college completion and career success.
Early College programs are rooted in five key design principles set forth in the joint resolution of the Boards of Elementary & Secondary Education and Higher Education, approved at their joint meeting on January 24, 2017. Those design principles are:
- PRINCIPLE 1: Equitable Access
- PRINCIPLE 2: Guided Academic Programs
- PRINCIPLE 3: Enhanced Student Support
- PRINCIPLE 4: Connection to Career
- PRINCIPLE 5: Effective Partnerships
Full guidance on Early College and Designation Criteria is available on this website and the DESE website at http://www.doe.mass.edu/ccte/early-college/.
The most recent list of current Early College Designees is available on the DESE website at: http://www.doe.mass.edu/ccte/early-college/designees.html
Early College Joint Committee
- Chris Gabrieli, Chair, Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
- Matt Hills, Member, Massachusetts Board of Elementary & Secondary Education
- Patrick Tutwiler, Secretary of Education
- Katherine Craven, Chair, Massachusetts Board of Elementary & Secondary Education
- Paul Toner, Member, Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
- Jeff Riley, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (non-voting)
- Noe Ortega, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (non-voting)
The resources found on this website are not exhaustive. Rather, they are intended to support designated early college programs and those schools seeking early college designation.