From Hope to Belief

High school students who appear to be at an academic disadvantage gain confidence—and college credits—through early college programs.

In 3rd grade, William was assigned to a special education resource room, but by the end of his third year of high school he had completed College English 101 and 102 at California State University. By his fourth year of high school, he had already been accepted at the University of California, Riverside, a number of other Cal State campuses, and several private colleges. He hoped to earn a degree in communications and electrical engineering so that he could lead a team of colleagues to "design you something that is going to be revolutionary."

This young man was not the exception in his high school of underprepared students, but a member of a cohort of students who moved steadily toward college entrance with college credits under their belts. His story is emblematic of the many successes of early college programs.