SUNY Launches Early College High School Partnership Programs

Albany – The State University of New York recently announced 11 early college high school partnerships across New York State, and on Monday, Feb. 22, the programs, which will accelerate high school graduation for students while also providing them with an opportunity to earn college credits, were officially launched at an event hosted by Hudson Valley Community College.

District and school leaders were joined at the event by partnering colleges and universities, as well as representatives from SUNY, the Governor’s Office, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, EdWorks, and the State Education Department, to begin the development of programs that.

“What makes this initiative especially unique is that it makes college a reality for those students who are at-risk of dropping out of high school and are historically underrepresented in college,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher.  “It is a giant leap toward advancing SUNY’s commitment to working with our partners in schools and communities to strengthen the education pipeline from cradle to career.”

The development of Early College High Schools is an important strategy for creating a seamless educational pathway for students to succeed in college and future careers," said Johanna Duncan-Poitier, the Chancellor's Deputy for the Education Pipeline.  "Systemic partnerships between Pre-K-12 schools and colleges and universities have the power to improve student outcomes, especially in our most challenged schools, and transform education for the 21st century."

The Smart Scholars initiative, which is designed to increase high school graduation and college completion rates for disadvantaged students, has been made possible by a $6 million grant from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  The inaugural cohort of middle and high students will begin in the Early College High Schools in September 2010.

Eight of the 11 early college high schools are SUNY partnerships. In addition, SUNY, in collaboration with EdWorks of Cincinnati, Ohio, has been selected to facilitate the development of the Smart Scholars programs statewide.  SUNY campuses partnering with this initiative include University at Albany, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Erie County Community College, Fulton-Montgomery Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, Monroe Community College, College at Old Westbury, Onondaga Community College, Schenectady County Community College, and Westchester Community College.

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 465,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

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