Dual Enrollment Helps Students Transition to College

Dual enrollment programs offer students a way to “try on” college while they are still in high school. These programs offer students the chance to take college-level courses, often at reduced or no cost, and, in many instances, earn both high school and college credits. Dual enrollment programs provide some students with the motivation they need to complete high school and the experience to succeed in postsecondary educational institutions. PTA/PTSA leaders can enable more students at all ability levels to reach for the dream of a college education by supporting dual enrollment in their high schools and encouraging partnerships with postsecondary educational institutions.

Origins of dual enrollment programs
Connections between secondary and postsecondary educational institutions are nothing new in the United States. Most PTA leaders may be familiar with accelerated or advanced placement courses in which academically gifted high school students can enroll and earn college credits based on the results of standardized tests. Dual enrollment programs also offer high school students a chance to take more challenging courses and earn college credits. However, these programs are not reserved exclusively for the gifted learner. According to the Community College Research Center, “Once limited to high-achieving students, such programs are increasingly seen as a means to support the postsecondary preparation of average-achieving students. Moreover, though dual enrollment programs typically have been reserved for academically focused students, increasing numbers of career and technical education (CTE) programs are providing such opportunities to their students.”

Modern dual enrollment programs came into being in the late 1980s, largely initiated by institutions of higher learning. According to Arthur Greenberg , the author of High School-College Partnerships: Conceptual Models, Programs and Issues, a number of factors made such programs attractive to colleges and universities:

• The changing student population
• Increased openness in higher education admissions policies
• More students entering college without the education and skills needed to succeed
• More competition to recruit students
• The need to develop high school teachers capable of preparing their students for college

According to the Education Commission of the States, 46 states have one or more statewide dual enrollment policies. Four states and the District of Columbia leave dual enrollment policies up to the discretion of local districts and postsecondary institutions.

There are various ways states define and structure dual enrollment policies. For example, Ohio has its Post-Secondary Enrollment Options program. Under this program, high school students may take college courses for credit at a high school or on a college campus. A subset of this program is the Seniors to Sophomores program, which allows high school seniors to enroll as full-time students at a University System of Ohio campus for their last year of high school. Louisiana’s TOPS-Tech Early Start Award provides high school juniors and seniors with scholarships to pursue an industry-based occupational or vocational education credential at a public postsecondary institution. The state also offers an Early Start program, which provides tuition assistance to high school students to enroll in college-level, enrichment/development and/or work skills courses for dual credit, though these credits do not count toward a college degree.

How it works in one state: Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has provided state funding for dual enrollment programs since 2005-2006. This investment is based on the notion that helping students prepare for college and the employment opportunities a postsecondary education can offer will help them improve their lifetime earning potential while strengthening the overall economy. A particular focus in Pennsylvania is on students who have disengaged from high school learning as well as low-income students for whom college may have not been exposed to college opportunities.

According to Michael Race of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the 2007-2008 dual enrollment program subsidized 19,519 college credit courses. Ninety-five percent of these courses were passed with a grade of “C” or higher.

Penn State is one of Pennsylvania’s postsecondary institutions that offers dual enrollment. According to Patty Brady, director of enrollment for Penn State New Kensington, “Although we have had high school students taking college courses with us for many years, we have officially been part of the dual enrollment program since fall 2006. We decided to get involved in this program because it is a win-win for everyone. High school students get the opportunity to take college courses and build their transcripts with college-level work. They also get to take the courses at a greatly reduced price. At Penn State, we give dual enrollment students a scholarship that amounts to a 50 percent reduction in tuition.”

Penn State New Kensington has dual enrollment agreements with Valley High School (New Kensington-Arnold School District). Burrell High School, Leechburg High School, Kiski High School, and Springdale High School, and hopes to increase that number. These high schools apply for grant money from the state of Pennsylvania and use that money to assist students in paying for the other half of tuition. In many cases, students do not incur any cost of their own.

Students receive college credits for the courses they take. Brady says, “They are able to take almost any course that does not have a prerequisite. However, we give the students a list of courses that we recommend because they are at convenient times and are general education classes that will meet graduation requirements at Penn State and/or can be easily transferred to other colleges. Almost all complete these courses. The vast majority of the students who enroll in the fall semester come back and take spring courses as well,” says Brady.

“The students also benefit because they experience the sophistication of college courses,” continues Brady. “In some cases, this is a real eye opener—better to find it out now as opposed to their freshman year of college.” Brady continues that many dual enrollment students have pursued their postsecondary education at one of Penn State’s campus locations.

“What is interesting is the learning that takes place when students don't do well. They realize that these college courses require more work and effort outside of class when compared to many of their high school classes. They learn the importance of seeking help early.”

Your role in dual enrollment
One research study done in Florida found that dual enrollment participation increased the likelihood that students would enroll in a four-year college or university by 7.7 percent. According to an October 2007 report issued by the Community College Research Center, dual enrollment programs may increase the ability of minorities, males, and low-income students to attend and succeed in college.

Despite positive results and the high number of dual enrollment programs in the United States, financial constraints and accountability may have states, colleges, and high schools reevaluating their participation in such programs. It is important for institutions offering dual enrollment to have specific goals and ways to measure success at achieving those goals. PTAs can play a role in these efforts.

PTA parents and leaders are in an ideal position to understand and communicate the needs of families that can benefit from a dual enrollment program. Working with department of education officials, school boards, school administrators, and teachers, PTA leaders can help ensure that the goals of partner colleges align with the needs of student populations in their high schools. PTA leaders also can encourage their high schools to form partnerships and apply for grant money that may be available.

Patty Brady says, “I sincerely recommend the program. It is well worth the effort!”