The Hidalgo Independent School District in Texas
has raised the bar on what it means for a school district system to
focus on college readiness.
College Success for All, a new Jobs for the Future (JFF) report
by Thad Nodine, tells the story of how Hidalgo Independent School
District, located in one of the most economically depressed
metropolitan areas with one of the lowest number of college-
educated adults, is preparing all of its students to earn college
credits while in high school.
Hidalgo ISD serves a student body that is 99.5 percent Hispanic,
90 percent economically disadvantaged, and 53 percent limited
English proficient.
Preliminary data shows enviable results: This past June, more
than 95 percent of the Class of 2010 graduated with college credits.
Two-thirds of the graduating seniors had earned at least a full
semester of credit for a college degree.
"Hidalgo offers a valuable lesson for school districts across the
country. Hidalgo proves that with the right instruction,
partnerships, supports, and structures, school districts and their
comprehensive high schools can prepare more students to succeed in
college," said Joel Vargas, vice president at JFF.
College Success for All begins with the creation of the Hidalgo
Early College High School in 2005 in partnership with University of
Texas-Pan American, the University of Texas System, the Communities
Foundation of Texas/Texas High School Project, and the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation.
The early college design is a vehicle for providing traditionally
underserved students with an opportunity to earn a substantial
number of college credits along with a high school diploma.
While early college schools typically serve less than 400
students, Hidalgo ISD was committed to serving all of its 900+ high
schoolers.
The superintendent of Hidalgo ISD at the time, Dr. Daniel P.
King, reflects, "I can't see taking half of the kids and leaving the
other half out. Why not do it for all the kids?"
College Success for All describes how Hidalgo ISD took the early
college concept and adopted it as a districtwide strategy: By
embedding a college and career culture and focus in everyday
activities, from elementary school through middle school and into
high school, the school system now motivates and prepares all of its
students for success in higher education.
This strategy, combined with the establishment of additional
strong postsecondary partnerships with South Texas College and Texas
State Technical College, more rigorous course sequencing, and high-
quality career pathways, has been a recipe for success.
Though preliminary, Hidalgo's results are inspiring. However,
Hidalgo is not done yet.
"The starting line is right behind our heels," says Edward Blaha,
the current superintendent of schools.
"There's miles to go, but we know we've stepped onto the right
track, because this is good for kids."
John Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Texas High School
Project, notes that "Hidalgo Independent School District shows that
obstacles impeding high school and postsecondary success can be
overcome".
"The success of early college high schools is being replicated in
districts throughout Texas, Fitzpatrick, said.
"We need to create more Hidalgos in our country, more districts
where the lessons of early college are spread to all students."
