PAC JOINS CAMPAIGN TO CELEBRATE STUDENT SUCCESS

SAN ANTONIO, TX (May 6, 2009) — At a time when our nation’s economic competitiveness depends on providing every child with an education that will enable them to meet the demands of the 21st century workforce, Gateway to College at Palo Alto College is providing pathways to higher education for 73 young people who might not otherwise go to college. It is one of over 200 early college high school programs nationwide.

From May 4-10, early college high school programs around the country will celebrate Early College High School Week, bringing together students, administrators, parents, community leaders, and legislators to honor the commitment and success of the Early College High School Initiative.

Gateway to College at Palo Alto College will be presenting a Parent Night in the Student Center Annex on Thursday, May 7 at 6 p.m. Graduating students will speak about their successful Gateway to College experiences, and join other Gateway to College students in displaying their work.

With startup support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other funders, early college high schools offer college courses to high school students underrepresented in higher education (low-income, minority, English language learners, and first-generation college students) so they gain the skills they need to succeed in college and careers.

Gateway to College is unique among Early College programs, as it serves high school dropouts ages 16 to 20 and enrolls them as college students in a college-based program. Through Gateway to College, students are able to complete their high school diploma requirements while simultaneously earning college credits toward an associate’s degree or certificate. Gateway to College is currently offered at 24 colleges in 14 states, partnering with 111 school districts.

“Gateway to College at Palo Alto provides students the opportunity for a real second chance,” said Abel R. Gonzales, the program’s director. “Every staff member is truly invested in the success of our students and every student in our program is given an opportunity to rewrite their story and experience success on a college campus.”

“Gateway to College has taught me how to be responsible for my own actions, and has provided me with a clear pathway to success,” said Justine Torres, currently enrolled in the program. “Without this program, I would have never seen myself as a successful college student, but today I am discovering that I can achieve all the goals in my life.”

At a time when up to half of young people drop out of traditional schools, over 9 in 10 early college students nationwide get a high school diploma and 88 percent graduate with at least some college credit. Nationally, students who’ve graduated from the Gateway to College program have earned both their high school diploma and an average of 42 semester college credits out of 60 needed for an associate’s degree. The college credit is earned tuition free, at a time when one year of public college costs an average of $6,600. Students with two years of credit or an Associate’s degree would save an average $13,000.

“These numbers prove that challenge—not remediation—is an approach to education that works,” said Marlene B. Seltzer, CEO of Jobs for the Future, which leads the Early College High School Initiative nationally. “The opportunity to earn free college credit is something every student and parent would invite, especially during these hard economic times.”

“We will have 250 schools by 2012, serving 100,000 students,” added Seltzer. “Early college high schools are already helping the nation meet President Obama’s charge: ‘By 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.’”

For more information about the Early College High School Initiative, visit www.earlycolleges.org.