Opening new paths to college through expansion of early college high schools.

One of the proven school models that we supported in 2004 is the early college high school. It gives traditionally underserved students a rigorous, college-level curriculum and the opportunity to earn two years of college credit or an Associate's degree. We committed an additional $29.6 million in grants to eight organizations to expand the network of early college high schools to more than 25 states. Since 2001, the early college high school network has received more than $124 million in support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Woodruff Foundation, and Ford Foundation. As of fall 2004, nearly 50 early college high schools had opened, educating more than 8,000 students in 19 states. By fall 2008, more than 170 early college high schools will be open throughout the country, ultimately serving more than 65,000 students.