A Case Study: Student Evaluations of an Early College Support System- A Quality Improvement Initiative

This early college case study, a qualitative improvement initiative, sought to understand why students left their high schools to attend Midwest Early College (MEC), how students valued the support structure offered at MEC, how the designed program supports contributed to perseverance and completion, and what educational or occupational paths students pursued after completing the early college. This study, embedded within the larger context of increasing college readiness and the number of students completing postsecondary degrees, sought student voices for program improvement. The researcher collected feedback from students who attended three different cohort groups from 2011 through 2016. The early college supports examined included the effectiveness of high school courses in preparing students for college courses, the Success Skills Curriculum, assigned mentor relationships, organized college and career readiness activities, and the community college setting. Fifty-three students participated in an online survey, and 20 students were interviewed face-to-face or by telephone.

Students confirmed that early college supports contributed to perseverance, college course completion, and earning a college credential. The Success Skills Curriculum, while of value to the majority of students, needed adjustment to provide maximum effectiveness for all students. The planned college and career activities were helpful to students, but students sought greater diversity in career exploration beyond STEM fields. Students reported that college visits were helpful in determining universities where they would transfer. Students also reported high ratings for having the early college located on a community college campus. Determining if students enrolled in universities, or became employed after the early college, served as a measure of support structure effectiveness. Results of this research will allow improvements of supports offered at MEC and provide a model for early college programs seeking to aid students in completion and obtaining a college credential.