In the summer of 2021, the Maine Community College System, the University of Maine System, and the Maine Department of Education submitted a grant application from the College in High School Alliance’s (CHSA). The grant was to help examine equity and access to early college programming efforts and receive support for policy discussions and potential enhancements. While the grant application was not initially chosen for full-funding, CHSA ultimately agreed to fund Maine’s stakeholders on a need’s assessment in its pursuit of equity and access for early college programming with a focus on the Aspirations program.
Beginning in late 2021 and through spring 2022, educators, administrators and others met to discuss ways to expand access to early college programming in Maine. The Maine Early College Report is based upon the Unlocking Potential: A State Policy Roadmap for Equity and Quality in College in High School Programs framework developed by the CHSA.
Three national organizations, Complete College America, the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, and the College in the High School Alliance, were able to bring a structured research opportunity to the state. The Barr Foundation funded the project. Jennifer Zinth, of Jennifer Zinth Consulting LLC, was the lead author of the report.
Focus Group Participants included Wendy Ault, Executive Director, MELMAC Education Foundation and member, Maine State Board of Education; Paulette Bonneau, Director of the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology and member, Maine State Board of Education; Bobby Deetjen, Director, Mid-Coast School of Technology; Tim Doak, Superintendent, RSU 39 and RSU 86 and member, Board of Trustees, University of Maine System; Marisa Emerson, School Counselor, Portland High School; Hope Holyoke, CTE Advisor, Eastern Maine Community College; Amy Ketch, Assistant Principal, Old Town High School; Mary Redmond-Luce, Student Services Coordinator, Foster CTE Center; Kari Suderley, Director of Early College Programs, University of Maine.
You can find the report here.