UA Little Rock and LRSD Launch Early College Associate Degree Program

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the Little Rock School District have announced a transformative partnership that will allow high school students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree, marking a major step forward in expanding college access for Central Arkansas students.

Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, Little Rock Southwest High School will become the first LRSD campus to implement the Early College Associate Degree Program, a concurrent education initiative that aligns high school coursework with college-level requirements. The program will allow students to earn up to two years of college credit without leaving their campus—saving both time and money on their path to higher education.

LRSD Associate Superintendent Shana Loring called the announcement “a defining moment in our mission to expand access and opportunity for every young person in this city.” 

She said the initiative was “born from a shared vision to ensure every Little Rock School District student leaves not only college-ready, but college-completing.” 

Loring emphasized that the program is about equity and access, removing barriers, expanding pathways, and allowing students to graduate from high school with both a diploma and a degree in hand.

LRSD Superintendent Jermall Wright celebrated the partnership as a transformative connection between K–12 education, higher education, and the workforce. He noted that the initiative aligns with the “Three E’s” of the Arkansas Department of Education’s ACCESS Act, which prepares students to enroll, gain employment, or enlist after graduation.

“When we connect K–12 education to higher education and to the workforce, we don’t just change outcomes — we change trajectories,” Wright said. “We empower students to dream bigger, achieve more, and contribute to the growth of our local and state community.” 

He thanked UA Little Rock for its collaboration and vision, noting that the partnership marks a brighter future for LRSD students and families.

UA Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale thanked LRSD for its partnership and underscored the power of concurrent education in building confidence, saving families time and money, and strengthening the region’s talent pipeline. 

“Strong cities are built on strong institutions, and that includes both a strong university and strong public schools,” Drale said. “Our futures are deeply connected. When we work together, we create a pipeline of talent, opportunity, and leadership that strengthens not just our campuses, but our entire community.”

The concurrent credit program has already made an impact. DeSean Allen, a junior at Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School, spoke about his experience taking concurrent credit courses. 

“I’ve taken four concurrent credit classes so far,” he said. “These classes have helped me save my family money, and they’ve been beneficial to my educational journey. Concurrent credits have helped me gain more experience in higher education courses like those at UA Little Rock, and it’s exciting to see a whole associate’s degree being made available to us in such a short time.”

Wright and Drale, with a backdrop of students in the district, recently signed the program into action symbolizing the beginning of a new chapter in collaboration between UA Little Rock and LRSD. 

With the Early College Associate Degree Program set to launch at Little Rock Southwest High School in 2026, both institutions plan to expand opportunities across the district in the years ahead—creating clear, affordable, and achievable pathways from high school to higher education and beyond.