The Lasting Benefits of Early College High Schools Considerations and Recommendations for Policymakers

The high school years are a pivotal stage for students to prepare to succeed in college and careers. Most jobs today require a postsecondary degree—and most students want to go to college. There are substantial challenges, however, in reaching the goal of college and career readiness for all students, particularly for students from low-income families and students of color:

• ƒMany schools struggle to provide a positive school climate and a schoolwide, college-going culture, which can benefit students both academically and emotionally.
• ƒMany students are not well prepared for college coursework, and, as a result, many high school graduates who enroll in postsecondary institutions leave without earning a certificate or degree.
• ƒEven among students who are well prepared for college, many students fail to enroll in a postsecondary institution or complete a certificate or degree, due to financial barriers that contribute to disparities in access to postsecondary education.