In 2010–2011, around 1.4 million high school students across the U.S. (about 10% of high school students) enrolled in college courses while still in high school. In 2021-2022, that number has risen to approximately 2 million students, though data is hard to find and enrollment numbers dropped during the Covid-19 lockdowns. Nevertheless, everyone from state education departments to the White House is aiming to increase dual or concurrent enrollment.
What is concurrent enrollment?
Concurrent enrollment, or dual enrollment, is a type of ‘college in high school’ program where high school students take one or more college courses while still attending high school. These courses often provide college credits or, at the very least, an advantage in college admissions.
How this is accomplished varies by state and by institution, but here are some of the ways:
- High school students take classes on college campuses, often the local community college.
- Students enroll in online college courses or have virtual instruction by college instructors.
- College instructors go to high schools to teach the students there.
- High school teachers teach college courses, often in collaboration with college instructors.
What are the benefits for learners?
Why would high school students take on more work than they have to? While it may not be for everyone, there are several reasons why students choose to take on an advanced course.
- Earn college credits: In most states, dual enrollment programs allow students to earn college credits while attending high school. This may allow them to spend less time in college—and, ideally, reduce the college fees they must pay. The credits earned through these courses are based on multiple assessments throughout the course rather than a single exam, as is the case with Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
- Evaluate their ability to do college work: Taking a college course allows students to experience the kind of work required in college courses. They can evaluate their abilities and learn where they must improve.
- Find their best fit: College students sometimes find that they’ve invested time and money in a major they actually don’t like or are not suited for. Many high school students are unsure about what courses to take in college. Dual enrollment allows students to ‘try out’ different courses to see what’s a good fit for them.
- Take on more challenging courses: If a high school doesn’t offer Advanced Placement courses or challenging courses, dual enrollment gives advanced students the opportunity to work at a higher level.
- Make the decision to go to college: Some students might not have considered going to college and others might be intimidated by the idea of going to college. Dual enrollment allows these learners to experience college work in the familiar setting of their high school. This might encourage students to consider going to college and make them more confident about higher education.
How do schools and colleges benefit?
Though dual enrollment might require more administrative and coordination efforts for high schools, it offers significant benefits. It allows the schools to expand their academic offerings and potentially attract students with low effort and without having to hire new teachers. Some research has also shown that concurrent enrollment makes learners more likely to complete high school.
Colleges benefit, too. Students who come from concurrent enrollment programs are more likely to get college degrees. Participation in concurrent enrollment may potentially reduce college dropout rates and the rates at which students withdraw from courses. Colleges can also use student performance on these courses to gauge overall student performance more accurately and to make more informed decisions at the time of admission.
What more needs to be done?
Concurrent enrollment has been around for a while, but it is still at a very early stage in most places. Here are some areas where improvements can be made:
Consistency among colleges and states: Credits may not be transferable for all programs. Credits from community colleges may not transfer to four-year colleges. More standardization and consistency is needed in how concurrent enrollment programs work within and across states.
Data collection and analysis: It’s difficult to evaluate the effectiveness and effects of concurrent enrollment programs on a wide scale because there is no consistent data collection and reporting mechanism at present. Research has been limited to small groups of students in particular schools. A consistent data collection system would allow for analysis and help accurately judge the effectiveness of these programs.
Improved student access to information: Right now, consistent with the fragmented nature of these programs, only a few students have access to information about the programs, costs, and benefits. Better information will allow students to make informed choices about their academic lives and their futures.
Additional resources:
National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP)
The Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Columbia University
