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

MIDDLE - EARLY COLLEGES: WHY THEY MATTER

Elisabeth BarnettNCREST

Teachers College, Columbia University

March 2015

ORIGINS OF MIDDLE-EARLY COLLEGEPioneers:•Middle College National Consortium (1974)•Bard High School Early College (Simons Rock 1970s)

National Early College High School Initiative (2002-2012)•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

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 2005-2007 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 collegeA year of college costs at one college

COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAM

 Based on one calendar year (24 units = 12 units per semester)  

Tuition $205.00 per unit $4,920.00

Enrollment Fee $26.00 per unit $624.00

Books and Supplies Estimate for 12-month period $800.00

Health Center Fee $17.00 per semester $34.00

Student Health Insurance Estimate for 12-month period $908.00

RSCCD Student Service Fee $7.50 per semester $15.00

Int'l Student Services Fee $50.00 per semester $100.00

Parking Fee (Optional) $30.00 per semester $60.00

Personal Living Expenses Estimate $12,000.00

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 2004-5)

• 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•5th year cohorts in a school•Multi-site programs•Enhanced dual enrollment.