Cavazos: We're back-mapping baccalaureate degrees into the high school

HARLINGEN, Texas - In an interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, UTRGV President Bailey said the early college high school being developed by the university and HCISD is unique.“When you think of an early college high school, this is how it should be done. Our students will graduate as juniors in high school, everything they take will not only count as college credit, it will count toward their degree. That is a key distinction you need to make,” Bailey said.“Almost every college course, you can get credit for it. Will it count towards your degree? We are committed to that. That is so important in helping students graduate in a timely manner and keeping their debt low.”HCISD Superintendent Art Cavazos agreed with Bailey’s viewpoint that the school district’s partnership with UTRGV was unprecedented.“What is unique about this partnership is we are back-mapping baccalaureate degrees into the high schools. So the students are actually starting as early as 9th grade, beginning to get student experiences, summer experiences, to prepare them in the soft skills needed to persist in a baccalaureate degree,” Cavazos said.“We are super excited because kids will be able to start their baccalaureate pathways as early as 10th and 11th grade.”This podcast features interviews with UT-Rio Grande Valley President Guy Bailey, Harlingen CISD Superintendent Art Cavazos, and Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell. Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.