Philosophy
What is Early College High School?
Early College High School (ECHS) is a blended secondary/post-secondary school for young people in urban and rural environments, many of whom are from low-income families, are second-language learners or are members of ethnic groups with low participation in postsecondary education.
ECHS provides both the rigorous learning and close support needed to launch underserved young people into college.
ECHS embodies the notion that intellectual challenge and academic rigor coupled with the opportunity to save time and tuition dollars are powerful motivators for young people.
ECHS changes the structure of high school years, compresses the number of years required to obtain a college degree and removes significant barriers to postsecondary education. Students complete high school and earn college credits within a small, supportive learning environment that looks and feels much more like college than like high school.
The Gates Foundation, along with the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation and the Kellogg Foundation, has launched a national initiative to create over 100 Early College high schools over the next five years.
Click here to review the Core Principals of Early College High School.
What is a Big Picture School?
The Big Picture Company is an educational not-for-profit organization that develops and supports a growing national network of K-12 schools. Their mission is to “catalyze vital changes in American education by generating and sustaining innovative, personalized small schools that work in tandem with the real world of their greater community.” Big Picture is committed to equity for underserved urban students, and the expectation that these students can achieve college success.
Big Picture’s flagship school, The Met, is nationally acclaimed for its innovative educational design and exceptionally high retention, graduation and college acceptance rates. Founded in 1995, The Met is a public, four-year high school in Providence, Rhode Island, that serves a diverse urban student population, the majority of whom are from poor families where English is a second language.
Big Picture philosophy is grounded in a commitment to educate “one student at a time.” The structures and educational practices of Big Picture Schools are built upon the foundation of several core beliefs.
Students are motivated to learn when they are engaged in academic work that taps their interests and passions.
o Students are motivated to learn when the work projects are personally meaningful and have significance outside of school.
- Learning takes place in many contexts, not just in schools.
- Students learn best when they are known well by peers and adults in the school.
- Students learn best when they have a voice in creating their educational plans.
- Learning must connect to personal and social contexts for each student.
- Family members must be active participants in each student’s learning.
- Academic knowledge and skills must be applied to real life experiences and challenges.
Click here to learn more about the Big Picture Company.
Contact Us
School for Social Change
Campolo College of Graduate and Professional Studies
Eastern University | Philadelphia
990 Spring Garden Street, Sixth Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19123
P: 215-769-3100
F: 215-769-6785
E: change@eastern.edu
AIM: studychange
