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!
Early college leaders are inundated with expectations—state standards, district initiatives, evaluation tools, PLC structures, and professional development mandates. How do we bring clarity to the complexity? This session equips principals and system leaders to design a coherent instructional framework that aligns Essential Practices, professional learning, PLC processes, NCEES, and school/district expectations into one clear, usable document. Participants will leave with a plan to crosswalk key resources with expectations and evaluation criteria, drive targeted professional development, and deploy a framework that sustains continuous improvement.
Vance Fishback is a veteran educational leader with more than 30 years of experience in public education with a strong background in Early College High School design, launch, and leadership. He has served the last 10 years as the Founding Principal of the Cabarrus Early College o... Read More →
Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT Winston 3B
Interdisciplinary Days at Craven Early College offer a powerful model for Future‑Ready learning by immersing students in themed, cross‑curricular experiences that mirror real‑world problem solving. In this showcase, participants will explore how grade‑level teams design cohesive, standards‑aligned learning days—such as Journey to the New World, Viva La Revolution, Zombie Apocalypse, and CSI Owl Country—that integrate math, science, English, and social studies into authentic, hands‑on challenges. These experiences boost engagement, strengthen collaboration, and help students apply academic concepts in meaningful contexts, echoing the Next Generation Early College emphasis on innovative instruction, student voice, and active collaboration.
Attendees will see sample student products, hear about planning structures, watch video reflections from student participants, and learn how interdisciplinary days foster deep learning, SEL connections, and future‑focused skills. The session will highlight how this model strengthens teacher collaboration, supports diverse learners, and builds a unified school culture. Participants will leave with replicable frameworks and inspiration to design their own interdisciplinary learning experiences.
Early College opens doors for students long pushed to the margins, but access alone doesn’t guarantee belonging or success. In this collaborative workshop, participants examine how advising, mentoring, family communication, academic monitoring, and behind-the-scenes coordination can either reproduce inequities or interrupt them. Using examples across different Early College sites, we focus on identifying where programs “shake,” the pressure points where hidden expectations hit hardest, and followthrough depends too much on one person. Participants leave with a practical toolkit: a Support Check, a Student Supports Map, and an Action Plan to strengthen shared structures and consistent support across contexts.
Early College programs often focus on structures and outcomes—but less often center the voices of students who experience them. This panel elevates student perspectives from the Dearborn Early College Kickoff (DECK), a middle school–launched pathway that prepares students for full-time Early College enrollment. Students from DECK’s first cohort, now earning college credit in high school, will share how early academic acceleration, clear expectations, family engagement, and a paid learn-and-earn model shaped their readiness, confidence, and success. The session pairs student voice with outcome data to illustrate the impact of starting Early College preparation earlier.
Early College Manager, Dearborn STEM Academy/Boston Plan for Excellence
Jay Pedrero is the Early College Manager and Director of the Dearborn Early College Kickoff (DECK) program at Dearborn STEM Academy, where he has served for the past four years. In his role, Jay provides direct, individualized support to students enrolled in Early College, helping them succe... Read More →
Early College Liaison, Dearborn STEM Academy/Boston Plan for Excellence
Teddy Walker is an Early College Liaison at Dearborn STEM Academy and has been a vital member of the Early College team for the past three years. In his role, Teddy works directly in classrooms alongside college professors and students, serving as a key bridge between high school and college expe... Read More →
Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm EDT Winston 3B
