Massachusetts Early College Designation Resources
The resources on this page are designed to support Early College Designation Applicants.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to read the full Designation Criteria document and Early College Program Designation Application Companion, both of which are linked to the right of this text box and at the bottom of the page.
Introduction and Concept of Early College – This section provides a rationale for the companion document, a current working definition of Massachusetts Early College, and an overview of the concept behind the development of early college programs
The Context of the Early College Initiative in Massachusetts – This portion of the companion document provides an overview of the Massachusetts Early College Initiative.
Early College Designation Process and Applicant Criteria – This section of the companion document provides an overview of the designation process and criteria applicants must meet.
Five Guiding Principles – Both the Designation Criteria document and the Early College Program Designation Application Companion (linked to the right) provide information about the designation criteria for the Massachusetts approved guiding principles of Equitable Access, Guided Academic Pathways, Enhanced Student Support, Connection to Career, and Effective Partnerships.
Timeline of Designation Process – Timeline for Early College Program Designation for program implementation and enrollment in the fall of 2023.
Resources for FY2023 Designation Cycle
The Fund Code 461: Early College Planning Competitive grant is posted. Part A applicants may apply for Option A (see slides for more information). Please submit Parts I, II, and III to Rebekah Barr at rebekah.barr@mass.gov by Tuesday October 4, 2022.
Designation PowerPoint from Orientation (April 14 and May 4, 2022)
The “Nuts and Bolts” of the Early College Part A Application for Designation Presentation (June 17, 2022)
Part A Application (.docx format)
FY2023: Early College Planning Grant (Fund Code 461)
Professional Learning Sessions:
- May 31, 2022 – “Are you ready to apply for designation?”
- June 7, 2022 – “You’ve submitted your Letter of Intent. Now what?”
- June 14, 2022 – “Examining Early College Program Logistics”
- June 21, 2022 – “Key Components of the Part A Application”
- August 10, 2022 – “Before You Submit Part A”
Early College Designation Criteria – Massachusetts designation criteria for each of the five guiding principles.
Early College Program Designation Application Companion (2022) – This companion document is designed to provide important information on the Designation process and requirements, as well as context for the criteria to be met under each of the five Guiding Principles.
Breaking Down Silos to Put Students on the Path to Success: The Promise of Early College in Massachusetts – 2016 Parthenon Study
The Rennie Center Early College Blueprint – A Guide to Getting Started with Early College in Massachusetts.
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Early College Webpage
Additional Resources from SY2021 Designation Cycle
Early College Designation applicants may find the materials below helpful as the Part A application did not have significant modifications from the SY2021 Designation Cycle.
Guiding Principles PLC Sessions for Part A Applicants:
- Equitable Access (May 18, 2021) – Session Video – PowerPoint
- Guided Academic Pathways (June 1, 2021) – Session Video – PowerPoint
- Enhanced Student Support (June 15, 2021) – Session Video – PowerPoint
- Connection to Career (June 29, 2021) – Session Video – PowerPoint
- Effective Partnerships (July 13, 2021) – Session Video – PowerPoint
- October 19 – 9:00-10:30 a.m. – Effective Partnerships – Session Video – PowerPoint
- November 2 – 9:00-10:30 a.m. – Equitable Access – Session Video – PowerPoint
- November 16 – 9:00-10:30 a.m. – Guided Academic Pathways – Session Video – PowerPoint
- November 30 – 9:00-10:30 a.m. – Enhanced Student Support & Connection to Career – Session Video – PowerPoint
