FRAMINGHAM, MASS. (February 6, 2018) – MassBay Community College and Framingham State University have been awarded $10,000 by the Baker-Polito Administration that will support outreach to underrepresented students in Framingham and Milford Public Schools to participate in early college programs.
Early college programs combine traditional high school courses with an opportunity to earn college credit at a public college or university, typically in a particular career pathway. Under the plan, outreach to students will begin in middle school and will be focused on the following career pathways: business management, education, sociology and criminal justice, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) life sciences.
“Early college programs are crucial for exposing students to the opportunities higher-education can create and with these designations, more students will be able to earn college credits at no cost,” Governor Charlie Baker said. “We are pleased to work with these school districts to expand or launch early college programs so their students are better prepared for successful academic and professional careers after high school.”
The $10,000 competitive planning grant allows FSU and MassBay to become “designated” early college programs by the Boards of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Education. Schools granted preliminary designation are expected to apply for final designation in February, with the goal of launching programs this fall.
“Preparing students for the rigors of college-level courses while they are still in high school eases the transition to college and makes it more likely that they will succeed,” says FSU President F. Javier Cevallos. “This is a fantastic opportunity to provide underrepresented students with greater access to early college programs.”
"MassBay is excited to build on our partnership with Framingham State University to help more high school students access college education early," said MassBay President David Podell. "This grant will help us connect more underrepresented high school students with free access to college-level courses during a time when the cost for a college education is at a premium."
“We are very excited to partner with MassBay and Framingham State to develop Early College Pathways that support student access and college admissions and post-secondary degree completion,” said Milford Superintendent Kevin McIntyre. “We are all living in a world that is rapidly changing and becoming progressively smaller where education continues to be the gateway to success. The potential of the Early College programs are incredible and I appreciate the resources that both institutions can provide our students and community!”
"Helping our students to get a jumpstart on earning a college degree while simultaneously earning their high school diploma is an amazing opportunity for our families,” said Framingham Superintendent Robert Tremblay. “The partnership between the Framingham Public Schools, MassBay Community College, and Framingham State University demonstrates a community synergy that is squarely focused on affording opportunities to students in a way that is unprecedented in Framingham."
MassBay Community College was recently ranked by the Brookings Institution as one of the top schools for value added and earned salaries in the workforce. Ranked #1 for 2-year colleges in Massachusetts, #2 in New England and ranked #16 nationally. The College’s facilities in Wellesley Hills, Framingham and Ashland house day, evening and weekend classes that meet the needs of degree-seeking students and career minded life-long learners. Online options provide convenience and allow faculty to facilitate the learning process. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and strives to meet the needs of the diverse local communities it serves.
Framingham State University was founded in 1839 as the nation’s first public university for the education of teachers. Since that time, it has evolved into a vibrant, comprehensive liberal arts institution offering small, personalized classes on a beautiful New England campus. Today, the University enrolls more than 6,000 students with 58 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences and professional fields. As a State College and University (SCU), Framingham State prides itself on quality academic programs, affordability, and commitment to access for all qualified students.