A Jumpstart on College: Dual Enrollment Resources

Despite the major disruption the pandemic has caused for students, education leaders have an opportunity to re-imagine how strategies, like dual enrollment, can transform our systems and students’ lives. In Jumpstart: Setting Goals to Drive Equitable Dual Enrollment Participation in California’s Community Colleges, we analyze data from California’s community colleges to see if they are equitably serving Black, Native, and Latinx students through dual enrollment – and we find they are not yet doing so. This inequitable participation in dual enrollment is not just a challenge for community colleges to solve, this is also an opportunity for K-12 local education leaders to work to provide their students with more opportunities to graduate high school prepared to thrive in higher education.

In Jumpstart, we have shared a policy and practice agenda that we believe, both, K-12 and higher education leaders can and should implement. We take a look at the current landscape of dual enrollment to see who is participating in dual enrollment, especially Black, Latinx, and Native students. Fortunately, there are Community College districts that are equitably serving those students, and we take a closer look at their numbers.

This report was updated on May 31, 2022. Our overall findings are consistent with the initial release. However, Community College District’s equity scores have changed since the initial assignment. This update was necessary due to an update to the underlying CCC Data Mart source data, as well as a bug in our computation that is now resolved.

 

Infographics

How does dual enrollment pave a smoother path to college for Black and Latinx Students in California?

February 2023

Dual enrollment has the potential to be a powerful lever for equity in student attainment of post-secondary education, particularly for Black and Latinx students. The dual enrollment infographics provide an overview of some of the roadblocks Black and Latinx students face on the path to and through a college degree, with a lens on how Black and Latinx students stand to benefit from these courses. School, district, and college leaders can pave a smoother path for students who stand to benefit most through intentional, equity-driven practices in dual enrollment implementation. These infographics are meant to be used as a tool to better understand racial inequities in dual enrollment access and participation.

Dual Enrollment Resources for Students and Families

March 2023

Dual enrollment courses can be an impactful way to accelerate college coursework and obtain college credits for some high school students, however, explaining their benefits can be challenging. Because of this, we’re sharing a new set of resources geared toward students, families, and district leaders. The resources below guide students, families, and advocates in understanding, accessing, and expanding dual enrollment opportunities in their communities.

What is dual enrollment?

Dual enrollment is an opportunity that allows high school students to take college courses for credit, and has the potential to be a powerful lever for the success of California’s high school and postsecondary students.

Depending on the program, dual enrollment courses can be offered at high schools, college campuses, or online.

In-depth data from the Jumpstart report:

Our Recommendations for Jumpstarting Dual Enrollment in California:

The current influx of pandemic-related recovery funding provides a clear opportunity to strengthen dual enrollment offerings in the state–and it’s vital that those efforts target the students who are most impacted. “Jumpstart: A California Roadmap for Equitable Dual Enrollment Policy & Practice” highlights concrete actions that state policymakers, legislators, community college district leaders, and K-12 school district leaders can do to prioritize equity for their Black, Latinx, and Native American students. Endorsed by:

Join the growing movement of organizations and equity advocates who endorse the Jumpstart recommendations:

Dual Enrollment Coalition of California (DECC)

We are proud to be a part of the Dual Enrollment Coalition of California (DECC). By working together, DECC advances a shared vision of high-quality dual enrollment for equity, in which educators believe in the capacity of all students to succeed. We uplift high-impact practices and promote high-quality, equitable, dual enrollment policy and practice throughout California.

The DECC steering committee is composed of the following organizations: California Association of Black School Educators, California Coalition of Early and Middle Colleges, Career Ladders Project, Central Valley Higher Education Consortium, and The Education Trust—West.

To find out more about dual enrollment professional learning opportunities please sign up for our mailing list here.

 

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Karla Fernandez

Communications Manager

Karla Fernandez (she/her/hers) joins Ed Trust–West as a Communications Manager with over 11 years of experience advancing social impact initiatives.

Karla started her career as a teacher at Chicago Public Schools and UIC College Prep. After teaching, Karla joined United Friends of the Children to support LA County’s youth in foster care as a college counselor. Through Leadership for Educational Equity, Karla also served as a Policy Advisor Fellow for the office of a Los Angeles Unified School Board Member. She solidified her interests in policy analysis and quantitative research during her time with the Price Center for Social Innovation, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, and the USC Presidential Working Group on Sustainability. Before joining The Education Trust–West, Karla was the Associate Director for the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Collaborative, a network of nonprofits advocating for communities in SELA.

Karla holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Chicago, a Master of Public Policy from the USC Price School of Public Policy, and a Graduate Certificate in Policy Advocacy from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Karla is based out of southern California and is passionate about using data analysis, communications, and digital strategies for policy advocacy and social justice efforts.