Institution El Paso Community College State Texas Academic Level Associate Issue Area Access Website http://epcc.edu/Academics/DualCredit/early-college-high-school Key Personnel Tonie Badillo Program Focus Dual Degree/Dual Credit/Early College High School, Pathway/Pipeline Overview El Paso Community College's (EPCC) Dual Credit and Early College High School (ECHS) program's mission is to provide opportunities to all high school students in the Far West Texas region to earn college credit while in high school. . Students are provided with access to college-level coursework while in high school. EPCC waives tuition and fees and ensures all its faculty have their credentials to teach college-level courses. The K-12 partners provide the textbooks, transportation, and school operations. The Dual Credit and ECHS program integrates mandatory services designed to meet students’ needs and support program goals including bridge camps, tutoring, advising, and social supports. The program aims to increase college enrollment and completion for students and increase the number of high school faculty credentialed to teach college-level courses. Program Description High school students who earn college credit are twice as likely to graduate from high school, transfer to a college or university and earn a post-secondary credential. EPCC is proud to expand options for transferable credit earned while in high school to include Career and Technical Education, with the goal for students to earn post-secondary credentials in the areas of automotive technology, diesel technology and computer aided design. Soon-to-be added areas include Emergency Medical Technology, Cyber-security, and Business Management. Supports and practices offered to students include tutoring, intrusive advising, and joint EPCC and high school faculty training. The program targets Latino students by focusing on feeder patterns with predominantly Latino populations, engaging families, and highlighting successful Latino program students. Outcome On average 58% of Dual Credit and ECHS students enroll at EPCC within one year of high school graduation, compared to 33% of their peers. 86% of Latino students complete their associate's degree within 5 years. Dual Credit students have a 47% 5-year transfer rate and ECHS students have a 44% 5-year transfer rate, compared to 22% for non-participants with a 5-year transfer rate. Learn more about Latino College Completion in Texas Return to Growing What Works Database
