GOV. MALLOY ANNOUNCES TWO NEW EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAMS IN EASTERN CONNECTICUT
Last week, Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced that two new integrated
high school and college programs in Windham and New London will launch
in the fall of 2015. Modeled after IBM’s much heralded Pathways
in Technology Early College High School programs (P-TECH), the Connecticut
Early College Opportunity (CT-ECO) programs are Grade 9-14 experiences
that allow students to earn an associate degree in addition to a high
school diploma.
“At the ribbon cutting for the NECA program I promised to work with
other major employers to replicate this model elsewhere in the state,
and today we’re doing just that,” said Governor Malloy. “When
we give students the chance to learn science and technology, we give them
the skills that employers are looking for, and help pull our workforce
into the 21st Century.”
At the direction of Governor Malloy, the Department of Education, the Department
of Economic and Community Development, and the Board of Regents are collaborating
on this initiative to better prepare students for college and careers
while developing a skilled workforce that meets the needs of local employers.
In September of 2014, Norwalk Public schools opened the state’s
first CT-ECO program, Norwalk Early College Academy (NECA)—a partnership
with IBM and Norwalk Community College.
CT-ECO will provide students with an opportunity to access higher education
affordably and addresses the critical skills gap that local industries
are facing. “Early College programs like CT-ECO are game changers
for our state. They break down the silos between high schools, community
colleges and the world of work, allowing students to access post-secondary
credentials and avoid the need for remediation and close the skills gap,”
said President of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education
Dr. Gregory Gray.
CT-ECO builds upon the Governor’s commitment to student success and
economic health by aligning K-12, college and the workforce. “By
providing the opportunity to experience college-level material while in
high school, early college programs offer students a head start on success
in their post-secondary education and in their careers. CT-ECO integrates
real-world workplace experiences, meaningful mentorships, and rigorous
academics—an approach that makes sense and should be expanded,”
said Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor.
The scope and sequence for these programs feature an integrated curriculum
of high school and college courses along with a workplace learning course
that focuses on industry soft skills necessary for success and growth
across all career fields. “The launch of these two programs is the
latest example of how our state is taking a strategic approach to developing
a talent-driven workforce. This new model will meet the needs of businesses
and students alike, and lead to stronger regional economies over the long
term, ” said DECD commissioner Catherine Smith.
The Eastern CT-ECO programs, located in Windham and New London, represent
partnerships among the local school districts, Three Rivers Community
College, Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC), and the Eastern Manufacturing
Alliance (EAMA) with General Dynamics Electric Boat serving as the lead
partner. “These programs represent the active roles Connecticut,
local school systems and industry are taking to build the educated work
force required to compete and succeed in the 21st century business environment,”
said Electric Boat President Jeffrey S. Geiger. “Electric Boat is
a learning organization and our participation in CT-ECO reflects the importance
we place on training, education and development. We’re excited by
this program and the promise it holds for everyone involved.”
The Eastern CT-ECO programs will enable students to earn degrees in the
field of Advanced Manufacturing, where demand for middle-skilled well-paying
jobs is growing. EAMA President Raymond Coombs, Jr., “One of the
biggest challenges that members of EAMA are faced with is finding skilled
workers to join their team. We are very excited to be a part of the CT-ECO
program in our area, going forward we believe this will be a local pipeline
for us to continue growing our businesses.”
The unique structure of this two-pronged partnership, made possible by
the active involvement of the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment
Board (EWIB), reflects the importance of collaboration to support a the
development of a skilled workforce. “The openness of the industry
and education dialogue in Eastern CT is something that we’re proud
of, so the implementation of CT-ECO here is a great fit,” said EWIB
Executive Director John Beauregard.
In keeping with IBM’s P-TECH model, CT-ECO programs do not have special
tests or screenings required for admission. Students are selected to participate
through a lottery-based system.
Interim Superintendent of New London Richard Foye expressed his enthusiasm
for the venture. “New London is proud to be a part of this new program.
This program is an excellent addition to our school system. The cooperative
among NLPS, Three Rivers College, the State, and Electric Boat with EAMA,
launches an important program needed for our students and our industries,”
said Foye.
Windham Superintendent Patricia Garcia reflected on this opportunity for
the Windham community, “We live in a 21st century global economy
and we have a moral obligation to equip our youth with the tools to succeed
in today’s world. As such, I am eager to bring this program to Windham.
CT-ECO will provide our students with the skills and experience they need
to step into competitive industry jobs after graduation.”
Once selected, students will be considered both students of their respective
high school and students at their local community college. Quinebaug Valley
Community College President Carlee Drummer stated, “At the forefront
of a pioneering vision for public education, the CT-ECO programs provide
the unique opportunity for students to earn a high school diploma and
an associate degree within four, five, or six years. QVCC is proud to
be a partner in this dynamic initiative that will transform lives in Northeast
Connecticut.”
Three Rivers Community College President Mary Ellen Jukoski echoed President
Drummer’s sentiments: “All potential students regardless of
their economic status will be recruited in order to establish an awareness
of the many possibilities that a career in manufacturing holds for them.
The priority of CT-ECO is to reach students who might not otherwise obtain
a post-secondary credential and show them that an associate degree is,
in fact, a tremendous opportunity towards finding viable careers in manufacturing.”
Students will also be paired with an industry mentor. Mentors will provide
students with valuable insight into how what the mentees are doing in
school applies to the real life demands of the workplace.
“Connecticut is to be commended for applying the P-TECH paradigm
on a wider scale, so that even more of its students are better prepared
for well-paying 21st century jobs," said Stanley S. Litow, vice president
of Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs at IBM, and president
of the IBM International Foundation.
The Eastern CT-ECO programs hope to enroll 50 to 100 students in each location
and add similar numbers each consecutive year. With the projected 100
plus students expected to be enrolled in the next cohort of students at
NECA and the new programs in the eastern portion of the state, Connecticut
stands to have up to 300 students enrolled in CT-ECO programs by the start
of the next school year all located in Alliance Districts, which are 30
school districts among the lowest-performing in the state.
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