2006-07 MCNC Early College High School Students: Participation and Performance in College Coursework. Revised

The Middle College National Consortium (MCNC) is one of 11 intermediary organizations awarded funds by the Gates Foundation to establish Early College High Schools (ECHSs). The MCNC is a school-practitioner network of more than 30 middle colleges (high schools located on college campuses) committed to a set of shared beliefs and instructional practices regarding the successful schooling of underserved high school students. In 2002, the Middle College National Consortium developed two of the first Early College High Schools (ECHSs). During the 2006-07 school year, the MCNC oversaw the development of 13 ECHSs; it will eventually develop a total of 30 such schools. For the past six years, the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching (NCREST) has provided research and evaluation support to the MCNC and its schools. This brief provides a summary of college course-taking data among students at Early College High Schools sponsored by the Middle College National Consortium. This brief is based on NCREST's Early College transcript study, and covers the cumulative college coursework of MCNC students enrolled during the 2006-07 school year. Of the 3,866 total students enrolled at MCNC's 13 ECHSs during the 2006-07 school year, 63% were enrolled in college courses. College transcript data was only collected for students taking college courses; thus, the college participation and performance of these students are the primary focus of this brief and the overall transcript study. (Contains 7 figures.)