The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has developed a designation process for Early College High Schools. The designation process ensures that school districts and colleges operating Early College High School campuses maintain the integrity of the model, which was researched and designed to specifically target and serve students who might not otherwise attend college. The TEA Early College High School Blueprint—which guides the designation process —includes six benchmarks.
Each benchmark includes a set of design elements, activities and products. More information on the ECHS and PTECH Blueprints can be found on the relevant pages of the TEA website.
As an Early College High School only in its fifth year, Akins is working towards implementation of the ECHS Blueprint. We are in our fourth year as a PTECH campus. More information on the benchmarks can be found via the links below.
Memorandum (MOU) with Austin ISD & ACC
Benchmark 1: School Design
Benchmark 2: Partnership Agreement
Benchmark 3: Target Population
- ECHS Academy Benchmarks 1 - 6
- Early College Programs Handbook
- Handbook (For Students and Parents) - Code of Conduct from AISD
- 2019-2020 Demographic Data - Austin ISD
- ECHS Admission Policy
- Transition Calendar and Events
- ECHS Recruitment Schedule
- ECHS English Brochure
- ECHS Spanish Brochure
- ECHS & PTECH Recruitment and Communication Plan
- Akins Campus Communication Plan
Benchmark 4: Academic Infrastructure
- Handbook (For Students and Parents)
- Pathways (Student Plans)
- Counselor's Page
- TSI Aggregate Data
- TSI Page
- Tutoring Page
- Handbook (For Students and Parents)
Benchmark 5: Student Support
- Mentor/Induction Program Plans
- Academy Structure at Akins ECHS
- Annual Profession Development Plans
- ECHS Leadership/Liaison Meetings
- Handbook (For Students and Parents)
- Austin Community College Board Agenda and Meetings
- Austin Independent School District Agenda, Meetings, & Minutes
- AVID Program with ECHSA
- Student Support Services (SSS)
- Community in Schools CIS
Benchmark 6: Work-based Learning (PTECH only)