Bridge to College Courses

Bridge to College transition courses in mathematics and English are designed to provide high school seniors not yet ready for college-level work a targeted opportunity to prepare for success in those courses. These courses are not designed for remediation but for preparation of students who can become college-ready in one year.

English

Bridge to College English is designed for seniors who are not yet college-ready but would like to enter directly into a college composition class without remediation or placement testing. Students who earn a B in one semester of the course qualify for placement into English 101 at any community college in Washington and at Eastern Washington University. All public baccalaureate institutions recognize BTCE as a senior English credit. Moreover, earning 1.0 credit in Bridge to College English fulfills the Transition Course Graduation Pathway for English. Juniors who plan to take a College in the High School class (or other college-level classes) in their senior year will also benefit from taking this course.

Mathematics

Bridge to College Mathematics is fourth-year (senior-level) course designed to follow Algebra II and develop college readiness in students. Students who earn a "B" or better in the Bridge Course are eligible to enter college-level mathematics coursework in any of the State of Washington Community and Technical Colleges. Bridge to College Math is also a designated transition course that fulfills a Graduation Pathway.

Bridge to College courses:

• Increase student engagement in mathematics and ELA.
• Prepare students with relevant college-level curriculum, bypassing the need for remedial coursework and placement tests.
• Deepen student understanding of crucial knowledge and skills needed to be successful in college.
• Bridge to College ELA and mathematics are transition courses that act as a pathway to graduation.
• The BERC Impact Report shows that Bridge to College courses have a positive impact on student success in college courses.

Washington State Course Implementation

Teachers become eligible to teach the course by attending the required New Teacher Institute in the summer and Community of Practice meetings during the school year.

• Teacher eligibility to teach Bridge to College
• English Course Information
• Mathematics Course Information
• School Implementation Planning Template
• Letter to Seniors

The Districts provide information about the funding for the course, as well as the required commitments from both the school and the district.

Higher Education Placement Agreements

• WA Community and Technical Colleges
• WA Baccalaureate Institutions

Frequently Asked Questions

• Current List of High Schools/Districts Offering Bridge to College classes (by Educational Service District regions)
• Course Related FAQ (3/2023)