... sample draft is right here. (Be warned--it's 17.3 M and in PDF format.)

Nice article in the Flint Journal about the Early College movement, with a focus on GEC (PDF is here). Snip:

The early college initiative was among the recommendations made by the Cherry Commission - led by Lt. Gov. John D. Cherry Jr. of Vienna Township - to double the number of state residents attending college.

Proponents say putting high-schoolers on a college campus makes them more motivated to do well and offers a positive taste of higher education.

Through the national Early College High School Initiative, more than 130 such schools have started across the country since 2002.

On a visit to Flint two weeks ago, Gov. Jennifer Granholm told early college students they "are on the front lines of a movement in education" and will help transform the economy.

"Students will graduate with an unparalleled high school experience," Gary Weisserman, UM-Flint's director of Early College and K-16 initiatives, said recently.

"This is, I believe, a watershed moment not just for Genesee County but for the state of Michigan."

Also, here's an article about the increase in enrollment on campus (PDF version)--5%--including the effect GEC has had on the campus.

... from the GEC opening day extravaganza:

First news reports in from the grand opening of Genesee Early College ... check out this ABC-12 report!

Here's the Flint Journal's take ...

Another great article on the Early College--and I even got some snaps! Link is here, and the PDF is here!

Brief article here. The gist: two more parent meetings, one tonight (June 19th) and one June 26th. All meetings are in room 1205 WSW at 6:00 PM. More meetings as circumstances warrant ...

Hey, we made the front page of the Flint Journal today, following the press conference this morning! Snip:

It will be a place where students graduate with a high school diploma, half the credits required for a bachelor's degree and on track for a health career.

All at the same time.

A groundbreaking announcement this morning was to reveal plans for the new Genesee Early College, an innovative middle college for students interested in the health industry, set to open this fall ...

... Gary Weisserman, director of Early College and K-16 Initiatives at UM-Flint, said this kind of opportunity also gives high school students a taste of college life.

"It's providing, for maybe the very first time, an integrated K-16 experience (on a four-year university campus) in our area," Weisserman said. "This is filling a bunch of different needs that are absolutely perfect for young people."

According to Weisserman, students will not have to pay tuition out of pocket. The GISD will use per-pupil funding from the state to cover expenses.

"What an amazing opportunity for young people," he said. "Especially in this day and age, with the rising cost of higher education, this is going to remove an economic barrier and also cultural barrier for first-generation college students."

UPDATE: Here's another story, from NBC-25.

UPDATE II: TV news coverage to boot!.