69传媒

College & Workforce Readiness What the Research Says

Dual-Credit Programs Are Growing, But Do They Reach the 69传媒 Who Need Them Most?

By Sarah D. Sparks 鈥 October 10, 2023 2 min read
Image shows empty desks in a classroom.
  • Save to favorites
  • Print
Email Copy URL

Dual-credit programs, which allow students to undertake college coursework in high school, have expanded rapidly in the last decade, but in most schools they remain a patchwork of different courses. That leads both to inequitable access and uncertainty about whether the college credits students earn will actually further their progress toward earning their chosen degrees.

That鈥檚 the conclusion of a new report released Tuesday by the Community College Research Center at Columbia University Teachers College, which tracks dual-credit programs in public schools. One in 5 community college students now attends as part of a dual-credit program.

As of 2020, more than 4 in 5 public high schools were partnering with higher education institutions to offer college credit to their students, the CCRC report finds. But only about 1 in 5 school districts provided equitable access to dual credit.
For example, white students made up more than 60 percent of dual-credit students in 2018, but only about half of all public school students. Black students, by contrast, accounted for nearly 15 percent of public school students but less than 9 percent of dual-enrollment students in 2018.

鈥淲e鈥檝e heard over and over again that dual enrollment [programs] are too often programs of privilege,鈥 said John Fink, a co-author of the report and a senior research associate for the CCRC. He noted that many schools that offer dual credit have prerequisites and do not explicitly advise students in how the credits could help them in careers. As a result, first-generation, college-going students are less likely to enter the dual-credit programs or choose useful courses.

鈥淲e need to build and tap into students鈥 motivation,鈥 Fink said, 鈥渂ecause if you鈥檙e going to broaden access to dual enrollment, you also have to up the supports to make sure students succeed and do well in these courses.鈥

The report finds more than 400 community college-high school partnerships in 16 states have started to develop more systemic approaches to dual credit, called 鈥渄ual enrollment equity pathways.鈥 In these programs, educators in both K-12 and higher education work to identify the most needed courses for popular careers, then work together to identify students and provide supports for them to both take dual-credit courses and then go on to matriculate into higher education.

Fink and his colleagues recommended four key strategies for improving the programs and making them more equitable:

  • Outreach: Instead of simply providing courses, districts and higher education institutions should actively recruit students from underrepresented groups.
  • Alignment: Ensure the credits students can earn apply toward degrees in fields that interest them.
  • Advising: Couple access to college-credit courses with supports for students to explore different careers and plan and apply for college and financial aid.
  • High-quality instruction. Provide good teaching and academic support, particularly for first-generation college students.

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Artificial Intelligence Webinar
AI and Educational Leadership: Driving Innovation and Equity
Discover how to leverage AI to transform teaching, leadership, and administration. Network with experts and learn practical strategies.
Content provided by 
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School Climate & Safety Webinar
Investing in Success: Leading a Culture of Safety and Support
Content provided by 
Assessment K-12 Essentials Forum Making Competency-Based Learning a Reality
Join this free virtual event to hear from educators and experts working to implement competency-based education.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide 鈥 elementary, middle, high school and more.
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.

Read Next

College & Workforce Readiness The Way 69传媒 Offer CTE Classes Is About to Change. Here's How
The revision could lead to significant shifts in the types of jobs schools highlight, and the courses students are able to take.
4 min read
Photo of student working with surveying equipment.
E+
College & Workforce Readiness Even in Academic Classes, 69传媒 Focus on Building 69传媒' Workforce Skills
69传媒 work on meeting academic standards. What happens when they focus on different sets of skills?
11 min read
69传媒 participate in reflections after a day of learning in Julia Kromenacker鈥檚 3rd grade classroom at Old Mill Elementary School in Mt. Washington, Ky. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
69传媒 participate in reflections after a day of learning in Julia Kromenacker鈥檚 3rd grade classroom at Old Mill Elementary School in Mt. Washington, Ky., on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. The Bullitt County district that includes Old Mill Elementary has incorporated a focus on building more general life skills, like collaboration, problem-solving, and communication, that community members and employers consistently say they want from students coming out of high school.
Sam Mallon/Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Preparing for the Workforce Can Start as Early as 1st Grade. What It Looks Like
Preparing students for college and career success starts well before high school鈥攁nd it doesn鈥檛 only involve occupation-specific training.
5 min read
Jenna Bray, a 1st grade teacher at Old Mill Elementary School in Mt. Washington, Ky., helps her student Lucas Joiner on an online learning assignment on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
Jenna Bray, a 1st grade teacher at Old Mill Elementary School in Mt. Washington, Ky., helps student Lucas Joiner on an online learning assignment on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. The Bullitt County district, which includes Old Mill Elementary, has incorporated a focus on equipping students with more general life skills鈥攍ike communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving鈥攖hat employers and community members consistently say they want from students coming out of high school.
Sam Mallon/Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness What the Research Says How Well Do Dual-Credit 69传媒 Do in College? A Look in Charts
New data show some students get more access鈥攁nd more leverage鈥攆rom taking postsecondary classes in high school.
3 min read
Illustration of students
Muhamad Chabib alwi/iStock/Getty