MIDDLE - EARLY COLLEGES: WHY THEY MATTER Elisabeth Barnett NCREST Teachers College, Columbia University March 2015

ORIGINS OF MIDDLE-EARLY COLLEGE Pioneers: Middle College National Consortium (1974) Bard High School Early College (Simons Rock 1970s) National Early College High School Initiative ( ) Full school middle – early colleges A new era (2012 on) State clusters Multiple designs

EARLY COLLEGE DESIGN CORE PRINCIPLES 1: Underrepresented students are served. 2: K-12 and higher education are jointly accountable for student success. 3: An integrated academic program allows students to earn 1-2 years of transferable college credit. 4: Students engage in a comprehensive support system.

MEMCA DESIGN PRINCIPLES 1. Underrepresented students are served. 2: K-12 and higher education are jointly accountable for student success. 3: An integrated academic program allows students to earn 1-2 years of transferable college credit. 4: Students engage in a comprehensive support system. 5. A culture of continuous improvement is established.

EARLY COLLEGE TODAY (JFF)

EARLY COLLEGE STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS 56% of early college students are the first in their immediate families to attend college.

Middle – early colleges have: 3 important advantages 1 limitation

ADVANTAGE 1: IMPROVED STUDENT OUTCOMES

AIR/SRI Study (2013) Research approach: 10 middle-early colleges. Students entering in and admitted by lottery. Student outcomes were analyzed. Research questions: 1. Do early college students have better outcomes? 2. Do results vary by sub-group?

Graduation rates

College enrollment

4-yr college enrollment 51% of EC students enrolled in 4 year colleges vs. 46% of comparison group [Both groups had the same college GPA - 3.1]

ADVANTAGE 2: SAVING MONEY

NCREST 14 How much money do students save? A year of college costs at one college COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAM Based on one calendar year (24 units = 12 units per semester) Tuition$ per unit$4, Enrollment Fee$26.00 per unit$ Books and SuppliesEstimate for 12-month period$ Health Center Fee$17.00 per semester$34.00 Student Health InsuranceEstimate for 12-month period$ RSCCD Student Service Fee$7.50 per semester$15.00 Int'l Student Services Fee$50.00 per semester$ Parking Fee (Optional)$30.00 per semester$60.00 Personal Living ExpensesEstimate$12, TOTAL $19,461.00

NCREST 15 Money saved by getting free college credits A year at this college (24 units) costs $19,461. A typical MEMCA EC student graduates with 40+ credits earned. Savings= 1 ½ years? Do the math for other top colleges students attend.

How much money does society save? Dual credit courses (fewer total courses taken) Students not dropping out of high school Students not needing college remediation Students completing college and therefore contributing to society and economy.

Some totals Dual credit courses (fewer total courses taken) E.g. $39 million in WA (10,000 students in ) High school drop-outs’ cost to society Higher prison, welfare, health, mental health costs or $292,000 per person Students not needing college remediation Remedial courses are “paid for twice,” ~ $7 billion per year. Students completing college (contributing to society and economy, raise healthy children) College grads vote, volunteer, are healthier and raise healthy kids, contribute to economic development and pay more taxes.

ADVANTAGE 3: THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IMPROVES

Improved pathways Curriculum alignment Pathways in CTE (and other fields?) Students with clearer life plans

Reducing silos Students in M-ECs are jointly “owned.” K-12 and higher education become partners. New enterprises Shared resources

LIMITATION: SUSTAINABILITY AND SCALE UP

M-EC schools can only be scaled so far Michigan is creating alternative early college models. Full school models 5 th year cohorts in a school Multi-site programs Enhanced dual enrollment.