Dual enrollment is a powerful acceleration strategy for college completion. Multiple students show that students who participate in high-quality dual enrollment while in high school are more likely to graduate, enter college, and persist in college to completion than their peers who don’t.
Research also shows that students who identify as low-income, first-generation, or students of color can benefit from dual enrollment. Further, dual enrollment offers a low-cost or no-cost way to earn college credit and may help students obtain a degree faster.
Between October 14-24, 2022, the Career Ladders Project partnered with Engage R+D to field a survey of college leaders and practitioners engaged in dual enrollment efforts. The purpose of the survey was to better understand implementation barriers encountered by participants and what is needed to ensure equitable access and success.
This report describes key survey findings and concludes with prompts based on findings from the survey that practitioners can use to guide reflection and discussion.
The report notes that as colleges and high schools across California work to develop and expand dual enrollment, it will be essential to focus on equity. This will help ensure that dual enrollment opportunities continue to expand college access and success for student groups who have been systematically excluded.