📌Handbook 2023-2024

Updated 10/16/24

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On Formatting

The formatting in this handbook is intended to help readers differentiate between: policy, guidelines, and recommendations. 1) Text not in boxes within the main body of this document represents:

• Facts, history, descriptions of current standing of programs

• Policy applicable to all EC Schools which may originate from CUNY, EC, or the DOE

2) Text within boxes with a solid border represents:

• EC guidelines which each partnership is expected to follow, but which may not have an associated, formal, written policy.

Example:

EC Guideline: The high school leadership, and EC Liaison should review their Scope and Sequence on a yearly basis before submitting their budget proposals.

3) Text within gray boxes without a border represents:

• EC “best-practices” and recommendations

Example:

EC Recommendation: A school’s Scope and Sequence should provide an avenue for most students enrolled to earn at least 15 college credits.

Any text within the main body which is not within a box, describes how the EC model works, expectations, or requirements, is applicable to all school models and should be considered policy. When possible, we have included links to the complete policy documents pertaining to each subject. Please consult with EC if you are unsure regarding any of the EC guidelines and how they may affect your school.

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Preface This handbook provides information about Early College (EC) at the City University of New York for all stakeholders working directly with students in the program or making decisions about the model. It was written for EC Liaisons and EC staff, and it may also be useful to High School Leadership, High School College Advisors, and College Leadership.

This handbook is not designed as a primary resource for Parents, Students, Teachers, Professors, Employer Partners, CBO’s or external partners, or for outside model development.

Mission Statement

The Early College Initiative at CUNY (EC) designs, develops, and supports schools that make earning a college degree more accessible, affordable, and attainable. EC promotes social and economic mobility by restructuring the educational experience for students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education. Early college schools are founded on the belief that all students deserve a high quality education that adequately prepares them for college level work.

History

The Early College Initiative (ECI) at the City University of New York (CUNY) was established in 2003 as part of the nationwide Early College High School Initiative, a project sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Between 2003 and 2006, EC developed and opened six 6-12 early college secondary schools in collaboration with the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE).

In 2007, ECI and NYDOE formed a funding partnership (i.e. Funding MOU) to cover the costs of college course taking, creating a permanent source of funding for the network. At this time a number of other New York City early college and middle college schools already in existence prior to the founding of EC joined the CUNY Early College network. EC provides guidance, project management, and financial resources and advocacy for creating and maintaining early college schools in New York City.

In 2011, the first 9-14 Early College & Career school, Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH), was developed to prepare students for college and STEM careers in competitive industries. There are currently 9 P-TECH schools in NYC that have students enrolled in college degree programs, and plans are underway for the development of more.

As part of the cost-sharing agreement, and as part of a larger reorganization of the NYCPS during that period, CUNY formed a School Support Organization (SSO) that worked in tandem with EC. Staff from the SSO, then known as the CUNY Affinity Group, provide instructional and leadership coaching to most of the schools in the EC network. In 2020, the Early College Initiative team and Affinity merged in order to better support our schools to become the current Early College (EC) at CUNY program.

As of fall of 2024, EC supports a network of 26 NYCPS early college schools in a variety of school models: 6-12, 9-12, 9-13 and 9-14.