Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education,
We are excited to share this wonderful news as Governor Maura Healey’s administration announced late last week it was awarding $8 million in grants to expand early college programs that let high school students take college classes for free.
Eleven (11) of the grants were awarded to ten (10) MAVA member schools.
David
Early college programs expanded for more Massachusetts high school students
About 9,000 students are currently taking advantage of early college programs. The new funding is expected to benefit an additional 2,300 young people.
"Early College programs are great for our students and great for our economy," Healey said in a statement. "They allow students to get college credit while they’re still in high school at no cost, making it more affordable for them to get their degree and preparing them to succeed in their careers."
Focus on underrepresented students
The administration says the latest investment is aimed at getting students from rural towns and gateway cities involved in early college programs. Most high school seniors participating in the program are Black or Latino students, groups that are historically underrepresented in higher education.
"Early college participation increases college enrollment for all racial groups but makes the biggest difference for Latino students who historically have been the least likely to matriculate to college," the administration said.
Early College Capacity Grant Awardees, received $60,000 each:
Waltham Public Schools
Westfield Public Schools
Early College Planning Grant Awardees:
Brockton Public Schools and UMass CCA: $100,000
B.M.C. Durfee High School (Fall River) and UMass CCA: $100,000
Greater Lowell Technical High School and UMass CCA: $100,000
Taunton Public Schools and UMass CCA: $94,068
Putnam High School (Springfield) and Westfield State University: $51,711
Springfield High School of Science and Technology and Westfield State University: $51,514
Shawsheen Valley Technical High School (Billerica) and Middlesex Community College: $50,000
Taconic High School (Pittsfield) and Berkshire Community College: $50,000
Putnam Vocational Technical Academy and UMass Amherst: $26,262
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira
