An alarming convergence of factors--diminishing percentages of high school graduates enrolling immediately in postsecondary education, traditionally underserved students comprising a growing proportion of the overall U.S. school population, and projections that more occupations in the future will need education beyond high school--suggest that states will need to adopt new approaches to increase the number of American adults ready to enter tomorrow's workforce. Early college high schools are one increasingly popular approach to raise the high school completion and postsecondary participation rates of traditionally underserved students and meet projected workforce needs. This policy brief: (1) Defines early college high schools; (2) Clarifies how they differ from traditional dual enrollment programs; (3) Provides recent research on the positive impact of early college high school participation on academic outcomes for traditionally underserved students; and (4) Sets forth the model state policy components that provide the necessary supports to ensure program access, quality and transferability of credit.