Four “Early College” Program Designations

Holyoke, Worcester, Lawrence, Westfield and Springfield schools included in second round of Early College designations in July 2018.

The High Quality College and Career Pathways (HQCCP) initiative, a joint effort of the Executive office of Education (EOE), Department of Higher Education (DHE) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), is encouraging districts to think differently about college and career pathways for students. Two program types – Innovation Pathways for career preparation and Early College for earning college credits – are being supported by the Early College Joint committee.

New Early College Designations include:

• Merrimack College and Lawrence Public Schools
• Northern Essex Community College and Lawrence Public Schools
• Westfield State University with Holyoke Public schools, Springfield Public Schools, and Westfield Public Schools (The Westfield Promise).
• Worcester State University (WSU) and Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) with Worcester Public Schools (WPS)

These newly-anointed programs will join the four Innovation Pathway programs and the five Early College designations which were approved and awarded grant funding earlier in 2018.

The next round of accepting Preliminary Designation applications for Early College and/or Innovation Pathway programs begins again this fall.

Educators and local association leaders who have questions about changes in assignments or contractual obligations as a result of a new HQCCP program should reach out to their local president or MTA Field Representative for more information.