New Mexico is receiving a half million dollars from a Denver-based philanthropic group to expand programs that allow students to receive an associate degree from a college while attending high school.
Gov. Susana Martinez announced Friday that the Daniels Fund is providing $525,000 for the state to establish more pilot "early college high schools" like one that operates in Las Cruces.
The grant will supplement $500,000 in state money approved by the Legislature earlier this year for the programs, which allow students to earn up to two years of college year and prepare for jobs while they're in high school.
The Daniels Fund was established by the late Bill Daniels, a cable television pioneer and uncle of former Lt. Gov. Diane Denish.