There’s not many high school students who can say
they had a hand in area history, but Freer Independent
School District (FISD)students are writing a new chapter in
Texas higher education.
This Fall, FISD and TAMIU launched the Early
College High School (ECHS) for Freer High School students
at TAMIU.This establishes an ECHS for grades 9-12,
providing Concurrent Enrollment for Academic Dual Credit
University courses. Students are bused intoTAMIU twice a
week with approximately 60+ students participating.
It’s not the first time the ECHS model has found
historic lodging at TAMIU. TAMIU’s successful launch of
both Laredo Independent School District’s award-winning
Early College High School and the Texas Academy of
International and STEM Studies last Fall figured prominently
in Freer ISD’s decision to collaborate with TAMIU.
TAMIU Associate Provost Dr. Kevin Lindberg said
one of the primary University strengths in developing
collaborations is faculty and University integration.
“While there are many models for delivering high
school dual-credit instruction,TAMIU has always taken the
position that our courses will only be offered by instructors
under direct and exclusive supervision of the University.We
feel that this is the best way for us to ensure that instruction
meets TAMIU standards, and we’re pleased that Freer ISD
shares this conviction,” he concluded.
Freer High School has about 200 students.The ECHS
model will be school-wide, allowing any student, regardless
of rank, to take courses for which they are academically
qualified. Students will be able to take two or more dual
credit courses per semester.
Freer ISD Charts Higher
Ed History with TAMIU
