History of Middle/Early Colleges

Early College

Mott Middle College follows the Middle College National Consortium Design Principles (MCNC).

MCNC Design Principles

These six design principles are based on work that began in New York in the 1980s and continue at middle colleges across the country. The design principals are also based on current research on engaging at-risk youth. Each one of the six design principles is important to the success of students who have traditionally been underserved in public schools; particularly students who are unmotivated, under prepared for high school work, and disengaged from their education.

These Six Design Principles are:

  1. Power of the Site- Locating schools on a college campus is integral to student motivation and success and to an enduring collaborative partnership. It is a visible symbol to the community of a dual accountability for student outcomes and academic success. Students are treated as college students and see themselves as college completers.

  2. Teaching and Learning- Developing students' literacy skills is critical to academic success. Schools regularly engage students in rigorous, in-depth academic work, use active intellectual inquiry and sustained writing and revision in all classes.

  3. Student Assessment - Schools design a system of assessment that provides multiple opportunities for students to publicly exhibit what they know and can do. Assessments grow out of classroom work and provide on-going feedback to the school community, the teacher, the student, and the parent on a students' progress toward achieving academic proficiency.

  4. Student Support- 'Smallness', less than 100 students per grade level, helps to create a learning community for students and teachers and provides opportunities for flexible and innovative structures to support students academically and emotionally.

  5. Democratic School Governance- Purposefully designed structures provide for everyone's voice to be heard and respected in the decision-making process with regard to hiring personnel, managing budget, determining curriculum and pedagogy, developing students' activities and any other policies that affect the daily life of students and faculty.

  6. Professional Development - Staff participates in on-going professional development that focuses on student success. Time during the school day is provided for staff development and the creation of professional learning communities. New