RTI International will host the 2026 Early College Summit on June 9–10, 2026 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC. This two-day event for early college leaders and program teams will focus on research-based early college and dual enrollment strategies to improve practice and support student success in rigorous learning environments. The Summit is designed so that veteran and new early college practitioners and college partners can collaborate to learn and share expertise to improve learning and student outcomes. Join us as we strengthen our capabilities to empower learners for future ready success!
How can schools better prepare students for life beyond graduation? In this session, participants will explore Wilson Academy of Applied Technology's (WAAT) innovative pathway-driven learning model designed to address common challenges such as career uncertainty, skill gaps, and limited real-world exposure.
Attendees will learn how WAAT integrates personalized learning tracks, student voice and choice, and real-world experiences into the school day. The session will highlight how pathways connect students’ interests to academic coursework, skill development, and future college and career opportunities.
Participants will also examine the role of educators as mentors and industry connectors, explore strategies for measuring student success beyond traditional metrics, and consider how this model can be adapted and scaled across diverse school settings. Through an interactive activity, attendees will apply the pathway framework to real student profiles, gaining practical insights for implementation in their own contexts.
This session supports future-ready instruction by helping educators design instruction that uses AI to deepen critical thinking and writing while preserving student agency, originality, and intellectual ownership.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly present in ELA classrooms; educators must understand how it can be used to strengthen, not replace, critical thinking and writing. I will highlight research-based principles and authentic examples demonstrating how AI use can deepen analysis, support revision, and strengthen student voice. Participants will examine student work, engage in guided discussion, and reflect on next steps for integrating AI in ways that preserve rigor and originality.
The power of any network lies in building strong connections among members. During this role-alike networking session, join peers and colleagues to connect around role-alike discussion of topics important to your work in the early college ecosystem through a facilitated networking conversation.
Financial well-being is a critical component of student success, yet many students navigate college without the knowledge or tools to make informed financial decisions that can shape their future. This session will explore why financial education matters and how early college leaders can play a role in closing that gap. We’ll review the value of a strong financial education program that offers both a platform and thoughtful curriculum and how it can make a meaningful difference for students. Key areas will include foundational concepts, saving and budgeting, credit and debit, and specialized planning tools that support students throughout their financial journey. Attendees will gain a closer look at Truliant’s financial education program and platform, Money Bright, as a practical example in action.
How do we embrace AI in the classroom without letting it replace student thinking? This session shares a practical, classroom-ready model for “human-first, AI-enhanced” learning. Participants will see how to redesign assignments so students use AI to deepen understanding, not bypass it. We’ll explore scaffolded prompts, transparency routines, AI-use levels, and assessment strategies that preserve rigor, voice, and academic integrity. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use templates, a course integration roadmap, and concrete examples that help students become AI-literate, ethical, and workforce-ready learners.
Activating Excellence introduces a structured, high-impact instructional model that integrates collaborative protocols into daily classroom practice. Participants will explore how Rally Coach, Math Stations, Station Rotation, Jigsaw, and Numbered Heads Together align with the Essential Practice Framework to increase engagement, accountability, and academic rigor. This session demonstrates how structured routines reduce teacher overload while meeting diverse learning needs. Educators will leave with practical strategies to scaffold content-area literacy through gradual release, creating organized, student-centered classrooms where learners actively process, apply, and teach content to one another.
I am a dedicated high school math teacher currently teaching Math 1,2 at Duplin Early College High School. Since August 2024, I have been committed to creating a classroom environment where students feel supported, challenged, and capable of success. I believe all students can grow... Read More →
Felicia Beddingfield has a diverse work background expertise as an Executive Director over a domestic violence & rape crisis center advocating for survivors of violence (primarily women and children) in the court room, in the schools, and community, as a member of the Governor’s... Read More →
Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm EDT Salem 3B
