Urban Early-College High Schools in N.C.: A Multi-Site Case Study

Although greater numbers of students are enrolling in college today than they were twenty years ago, the rates of college enrollment for African American and Latino students remain considerably lower than those of White and Asian (Martinez and Kloppott, 2005). Reports show that students from historically under-served groups-Black and Hispanic-slightly have only a 50 % chance of graduating from high school. Of these 50 %, only 16 % are considered college ready (WestEd, 2005). The primary problem that prompted this study is the need to determine to what extent the Early College High School Initiatives are effective in preparing students for college.