Beeville ISD recently was awarded an Early College High School Small and Rural District Planning Grant in the amount of $80,000 from the Texas Education Agency.

Dee Dee Bernal, principal of the Learning Resource Center, and staff from Beeville ISD, St. Mary’s Charter School, Pawnee ISD and Coastal Bend College worked together to apply for the grant and will continue to work together on the implementation of an Early College High School (ECHS).

The primary goals of the grant are to enable small and rural districts. Under the grant, the partners will work to research the ECHS model in order to develop viable plans to implement an ECHS that maintains the core principles of ECHS while addressing the specific needs of small and rural districts; to identify challenges and develop solutions and models for small and rural districts interested in implementing either the ECHS model or its best practices; and to increase the college readiness and success of students as demonstrated through participation in dual credit and Advanced Placement, and ultimately through application, matriculation, and persistence in college. Under the guidance and support of TEA staff or a technical assistance provider, Beeville ISD will collaborate with CBC to develop and refine a comprehensive plan for opening an ECHS.

The staff members of BISD, CBC, St. Mary’s and Pawnee ISD are excited about this opportunity for the students of Bee County. For 2008-2009, planning will occur to prepare to open the Early College High School at Coastal Bend College in 2009-2010.

The first class will be only ninth-graders. The following year, those ninth-graders will be the tenth-grade class and a new class of ninth-graders will join the program. Only 50 to 75 students will be in each class to more personalize the program. The first class will be limited to 50 freshmen.

As details are worked out, information will be shared with current eighth-graders and their parents. Students will be required to apply for entry through a process currently under development and be accepted into the program. In addition, at least 50 percent of the students must be categorized as at risk of dropping out. For more information, contact Dee Dee Bernal at 362-6010 or the ECHS office at 354-2282.