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The University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, together with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, will host the 2016 inaugural Early College High School Conference on April 15. Education leaders from around the state will contribute to the national dialogue about early college–accelerated learning opportunities for high school students. Attendees will learn how early college programs prepare students for college and careers through proven, research-validated instructional strategies, emerging technology, and partnerships with colleges and employers.

Conference tracks include:

  • Classroom methodologies
  • Designing early college
  • Measurements of early college effectiveness
  • Resources and academic support

School administrators, educators, principals, counselors, college representatives, early college leaders, school staff, advocates and more are encouraged to attend the day long conference featuring keynote speakers Joel Vargas, vice president of Jobs for the Future, and former Hawaiʻi State Director of the Department of Industrial and Labor Relations Dwight Takamine.

“Early college programs are an important way for students from across the state to get a head start on their college careers by getting college credit for courses taken while still in high school,” said UH West Oʻahu Interim Chancellor Doris Ching. “It’s a win for the students and a win for the university since it brings students even closer to the goal of graduating with a college degree while saving valuable time and money.”

More on the Early College High School Conference

The inaugural Early College High School Conference is sponsored by Holomua GEAR UP on the Leeward Coast and the U.S. Department of Education Title III Pueo Scholars Grant. Holomua GEAR UP on the Leeward Coast seeks to increase college attendance and success, and raise the expectations of low-income students from the economically challenged Leeward Coast. The U.S. Department of Education Title III Pueo Scholars Grant promotes post-secondary education in students from the indigent areas of the Leeward Coast, many of whom are or will be the first in their families to attend college. The grant supports a range of programs designed to foster student academic success.

Conference information

Conference registration is $25 per person. The conference is free for up to five attendees per GEAR UP eligible intermediate and high school. Registration at the door is $30. All early college students get in free. Register online.

For more information, visit the UH West Oʻahu Early College High School Conference website or email UH West Oʻahu Director of College and Career Readiness Initiatives Gary Tsuru or Project Director for Holomua GEAR UP Jean Javellana.

—By Julie Funasaki Yuen

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