Pasadena ISD leaders on June 24 presented a districtwide spotlight on the Early College High School (ECHS) program, reporting expanded enrollment, substantial college‑credit attainment and record associate‑degree completions.

Karen McCarley, director of counseling and college readiness, told the board the district's ECHS model — a "school within a school" approach — is the largest of its kind in the state and is designed to expand access to students least likely to attend college by using a weighted lottery that favors at‑risk and economically disadvantaged applicants. "This fall, we're gonna welcome 2,480 students to our Early College High School campuses," she said, and the district's stretch goal is to reach capacity of 2,500 students.

McCarley reported that the class of 2025 had 399 students graduate from San Jacinto College with an associate's degree two weeks before high school graduation. In her remarks she corrected an initial percentage figure, stating both "about 88 percent" and then "I'm sorry. 84 percent" while discussing the associate‑degree completion rate she reported for one campus cohort.

She summarized campus results and milestones: several campuses have met TEA targets for attainment and achievement and three programs qualified for "designated with distinction" status under TEA measures. The district reported notable cumulative outcomes including more than 900 associate degrees awarded by the Early College at San Jacinto Central in recent years and local campus results such as an 88 percent associate‑degree rate and a 90 percent pass rate in college classes reported by other ECHS campuses.

McCarley credited campus staff, college partners (San Jacinto College) and district leadership for program growth and student support. She said the ECHS program helps students earn college credits at no cost, with several seniors completing the Texas core curriculum or final courses during summer sessions and avoiding college debt.

Board members thanked the ECHS staff and students and recognized the program's effect on student pathways into higher education and workforce opportunities. District leaders said they will continue to scale the program and work with San Jacinto College and TEA on measurement issues tied to the school‑within‑a‑school model.