Blogs' from 2011

By: Alan Dessoff

For at-risk students who stand little chance of going to college, or even finishing high school, a growing number of districts have found a solution: Give them an early start in college while they still are in high school. An early college high school (ECHS) strategy, which combines high school and college-level instruction, reduces dropout rates and improves academic achievement levels while also boosting students' chances of graduating from school and finding jobs.

About 86 percent of early college high school graduates in 2009 went on to some form of postsecondary education, according to Jobs for the Future, ... Continue Reading

LAS CRUCES, NM – New Mexico’s first Early College High School illustrates local educators’ willingness to launch innovative approaches to improve graduation rates.  It also improves the economic impact of educational dollars when there is a spirit of partnership between education and industry. 

Seeds for Early College High School were planted in conversations between business, government, economic development and education leaders seeking to reduce the dropout rate and exploring best practices nationally.  Ultimately, those leaders also formed a non-profit to continue the work, The Bridge of Southern New Mexico.  The Bridge’s mission is to foster collaboration and leverage resources to increase ... Continue Reading

A little over a year ago, 112 high school freshmen students agreed to do something that no one in New Mexico has done before.  They enrolled in the state’s first Early College High School – a four-year journey to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and a two-year college degree.

Last month, they completed their freshman year – and every one of them, (yes, every single one) will be starting their sophomore year next year.  There’s a lot to be proud of for the students, their teachers and principal, and all those at Las Cruces Public Schools and Dona Ana Community ... Continue Reading

When we talk about how we build a stronger economy, whether it’s for our county, state or the nation, we focus on attracting specific types of industries, economic gardening of local businesses and maximizing the assets we have.  One of our most significant assets is exactly the one upon which The Bridge of Southern New Mexico is focused – our future workforce. 

Translation – Today’s high school or college student is tomorrow’s employee, entrepreneur, innovator, and leader.  When they succeed, we all succeed. 

One of the strongest economic development strategies we have as a state is to improve our graduation rates – ... Continue Reading

Alarmingly low graduation rates and the related forecast for under-qualified future employees are huge challenges facing business today.  That’s why business and industry leaders are bringing their gifts and expertise into the schools to help generate the products they need: a strong pool of well-trained, highly-qualified workers.

The stakes are high for everyone involved.  Students who dropout suffer lifetime consequences that range from limited earning potential and dependence on social services to life-long health and wealth issues.  Schools operating on reduced budgets lose even more when students walk out and don’t come back.  Business ultimately absorbs the costs of an unqualified, ... Continue Reading