In response to the pervasive problem of making college more accessible to at-risk and underrepresented populations, the early college high school (ECHS) model has gained popularity. However, limited research exists on engineering-focused ECHSs (EECHS). Given the current demand for diverse and highly qualified engineers in the workforce, further research on EECHSs that potentially support the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pipeline is warranted. We examined the perceptions of six teachers, 10 ninth-grade students, and one principal at a newly formed EECHS. Our qualitative analyses revealed numerous successes and few challenges related to the school’s culture, curriculum, and instructional practices. General findings that might apply to all ECHS programming included the school’s small size, the benefits of developing caring and supportive relationships, and a common focus on preparing students for future academic and career success. We discuss key implications of these findings within the context of replicating an EECHS program or similar school structure.

中文翻译：

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一所新工程早期大学高中的案例研究：为城市地区代表性不足的学生提供教育机会

为了应对让高危人群和代表性不足的人群更容易上大学的普遍问题，早期大学高中 (ECHS) 模式越来越受欢迎。然而，对以工程为重点的 ECHS (EECHS) 的研究有限。鉴于当前劳动力中对多样化和高素质工程师的需求，有必要对可能支持科学、技术、工程和数学 (STEM) 管道的 EECHS 进行进一步研究。我们调查了新成立的 EECHS 中 6 名教师、10 名九年级学生和一名校长的看法。我们的定性分析揭示了与学校文化、课程和教学实践相关的众多成功和挑战。可能适用于所有 ECHS 计划的一般调查结果包括学校规模小，发展关怀和支持关系的好处，以及共同关注让学生为未来的学业和职业成功做好准备。我们在复制 EECHS 计划或类似学校结构的背景下讨论了这些发现的关键影响。