（Boston Orange編譯）麻州政府今天在伍斯特（Worcester）宣佈，正式批准 29 個全新的「大學先修班（Early College）」合作夥伴，為今秋高中生增加 1,692 個免學費名額，創下麻州史上擴張規模最大紀錄。
麻州中小學及高等教育聯合委員會（Early College Joint Committee）投票通過的這項新制度，將首次採取公私立學校雙軌運作模式，讓高中與大專院校直接對接；高中生在學期間不需負擔任何費用，即可提前修習大學學分，並同步參與由在地企業配合的職涯體驗。
本輪名單大幅拓寬了機構參與度，展現指標性的結構變化。麻州大學阿默斯特分校（UMass Amherst）、麻州海事學院（Massachusetts Maritime Academy）、洛士百利社區學院（Roxbury Community College）與瑞吉斯學院（Regis College）等 4 所高校，首次加入合作行列。另有 23 所高中首度開辦「大學先修班」，使得全州參與該計畫的學校總數達到 101 所高中與 35 所大專院校。
「大學先修班」的歷史性擴張，引發各界對教學品質控管與教育資源分配的關注。麻州政府發佈數據回應，指這一做法已帶來顯著成效；「大學先修班」畢業生有 66% 立即升學，且絕大多數選擇留在州內的公立院校。這些學生入學後的表現同樣優異；高達 87% 的學生持續就讀至第二學期，更有 82% 順利升上二年級。
地方學區的實踐成果是整體麻州的示範指標。以伍斯特公校為例，該區已全面落實這項制度，修讀學生人數從 2023 年的 714 人，大幅翻倍至 1,362 人。教育廳廳長斯蒂夫·茲里克（Steve Zrike）在伍斯特技術高中（Worcester Technical High School）座談時強調，此舉成功打破了經濟壁壘，讓弱勢群體也有更好機會升讀大專院校。
這是麻州「翻轉高中（Reimagining High School）」政策所倡議的核心環節之一，近年在麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）推動下快速成長。過去三年來，麻州政府已陸續促成 65 個新合作案，全州參與人數較 2023 年增加了 3,700 人，漲幅高達 59%。全案預計在 2026 至 2027 學年度支持超過 1.2 萬名學生，並以 2036 年累計達 10 萬人參與為長期發展目標。
新加入「大學先修班」合作夥伴名單，請見本文英文版最末端。
Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Historic Early College Expansion, Creating Nearly 1,700 Additional Seats for High School Students
29 new partnerships approved, more than 12,000 high school students to participate in Early College in 2026-27 school year
WORCESTER – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the largest Early College expansion in state history with the approval of 29 new Early College partnerships, adding 1,692 additional seats this fall. This expansion followed a vote by the Early College Joint Committee of the Boards of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Education.
With this latest round of designations, UMass Amherst, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Roxbury Community College and Regis College are entering into Early College partnerships for the very first time. Further, 23 high schools are launching their first Early College programs. In total, 101 high schools—one out of every four in Massachusetts—are partnering with 35 higher education institutions to support more than 12,000 Early College students in the upcoming 2026-27 school year.
“This is the largest expansion of Early College in Massachusetts history, and it reflects our commitment to creating more opportunity for students across our state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are bringing together high schools, colleges and employers to help students graduate with college credits, career experience and a strong foundation for the future at no cost them or families. This expansion will make higher education more affordable, strengthen our workforce pipeline and continue positioning Massachusetts as a national leader in education and economic opportunity.”
“Early College opens doors for students and strengthens our workforce and economy at the same time,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By bringing high schools and colleges together, we’re helping students gain real-world experience, and graduate with a head start on their education and careers.”
Early College programs are a key part of the administration’s Reimagining High School initiative, ensuring Massachusetts students are prepared for college or careers when they graduate. These programs allow high school students, especially those underrepresented in higher education, to earn college credits at no cost to them or their families while still in high school.
Earlier this year, Governor Healey announced the goal of enrolling 100,000 Early College students by 2036. The administration continues to invest in the program, adding 65 new partnerships in the last three years and increasing the number of Early College participants by 3,700 since 2023, a 59 percent jump.
“Every student should have access to opportunities that prepare them for success after high school, regardless of their income or where they live,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “Early College is helping students earn college credits, save money, explore careers and build confidence for their future.”
“Early College is a key component of making sure that our high school graduates are college and career ready,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “We have seen success with Early College students persisting in their college work and we’re continually trying to reach students who otherwise may not see themselves in higher education.”
“Early College helps students see themselves in higher education, build academic self-esteem, and learn to navigate college while in high school,” said Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. “This administration’s dedication to Early College expansion is growing opportunities for students across the Commonwealth.”
Secretary Zrike made the announcement this afternoon during a roundtable discussion with Early College students at Worcester Technical High School. All of Worcester Public School’s high schools participate in early college and partner with Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester State University. Students can participate in a variety of pathways, including computer and information technology; installation, maintenance and repair technology; education, engineering and health care.
“Worcester is proud to celebrate this historic expansion of Early College with the Healey-Driscoll Administration. By removing financial barriers to higher education, we are giving our students an incredible head start on their futures. We will continue working alongside our state and local partners to ensure every young person in Worcester has a cost-free pathway to college and career success,” said Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty.
“The Worcester Public Schools is proud to be a district with one of the largest Early College participation rates in the state, increasing from 714 students in 2023 to 1,362 students in 2026,” said Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Brian E. Allen. “Early College Worcester reflects everything we believe about what education should do for our students — open doors, build confidence, and create real pathways to opportunity.”
The administration previously released a data analysis that shows the state’s investment in Early College is paying off. Sixty-six percent of Early College graduates immediately enroll in higher education after high school, with the majority enrolling at a public college or university in Massachusetts. Once enrolled in higher education, former Early College are persisting - with 87 percent staying in college through a second term and 82 percent returning to college for a second year.
“The addition of these 29 new Early College partnerships marks a historic expansion of a proven, life-changing program that enhances educational equity across Massachusetts,” said Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Chair Katherine Craven. “By bringing Early College opportunities to more schools and communities, we are expanding access to challenging college coursework, helping students grow and build confidence and creating more pathways to success after high school.”
“The ongoing growth of Early College in Massachusetts expands opportunities for students, supports larger affordability efforts by reducing time to degree, and connects learners with careers,” said Board of Higher Education Chair Chris Gabrieli. “Governor Healey's commitment to expanding Early College reflects a recognition that this is not simply a successful program—it is a strategy for growing economic mobility and meeting workforce needs.”
Families can use the Massachusetts School Finder to search for schools near them that offer Early College. For more information on Early College programs, visit DESE’s website.
New Early College Partnerships:
• Bartlett-Webster High School and Worcester State University
• Boston International Newcomers Academy, Margarita Muniz Academy and Roxbury Community College
• Bourne High School and Massachusetts Maritime Academy
• Burlington High School and Middlesex Community College
• Brockton High School and UMass Dartmouth
• Chelmsford High School and Middlesex Community College
• Chelsea High School and Salem State University, Bunker Hill Community College
• CityLab Innovation High School in Revere and Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
• Dighton-Rehobeth Regional High School and Bridgewater State University
• Dracut High School and UMass Lowell
• Greater Lawrence Technical School and Northern Essex Community College
• Greater Lowell Technical High School and UMass Lowell
• Holbrook Middle High School and Quincy College
• High School of Science & Technology in Springfield and Westfield State University
• Hudson High School and Worcester State University
• Mount Everett High School in Sheffield and UMass Amherst
• Neighborhood House Charter School in Boston and Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
• New Bedford High School and Bridgewater State University
• Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical School in Wakefield and Middlesex Community College
• Oliver Ames High School in Easton and Quincy College
• Promise College and Career Academy in Brockton in Quincy College
• Randolph High School and Bridgewater State University
• Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy in Springfield and Westfield State University
• Taconic High School in Pittsfield and Berkshire Community College
• Taunton High School and UMass Dartmouth
• Waltham High School and Regis College
• West Springfield High School and Westfield State University
• Weymouth High School and Quincy College
• Woburn Memorial High School and UMass Lowell
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