Dual Enrollment Explored: Origins, Advantages, and Key Challenges

Dual enrollment offers an exceptional opportunity for high school students to enhance their academic journey. By participating in dual enrollment classes, students not only fulfill their high school requirements but also earn college credits simultaneously. 

This equips students with a head start in their higher education, potentially reducing college tuition costs and shortening the time to degree completion. Dual enrollment also introduces students to the rigors of college-level coursework, preparing them for future academic challenges.

What is Dual Enrollment?

According to the U.S. Department of Education, dual enrollment is offered at over 85% of high schools, and 34% of U.S. high school students take college courses. Despite the widespread participation in dual enrollment classes, it’s useful to understand the program in greater depth.

Firstly, dual enrollment is not a one-size-fits-all program. There are variations depending on the state and district, including: 

• Modality/Location Most dual enrollment courses are offered at high school. However, some classes are given on a college campus, while others are offered online or at another high school.
• Courses offered/Credits available. There’s a variety of courses available and credits high school students can earn. In some high schools, students can earn up to 60 credits and receive their associate’s degree, while other schools offer just a handful of courses.
• Program costs In some states, dual enrollment courses come with an extra fee in addition to the course. The fee is for textbooks or transportation to the college where the class is taught.
• Impact on GPA First, dual enrollment courses affect students’ high school GPA but not the college GPA. However, the impact of the course on the high school GPA varies. At some schools, dual enrollment courses are not weighed at all. However, the classes typically involve an extra .5 points, but some schools add one point.
• College/University acceptance High school students should know that only some colleges accept credits earned via dual enrollment. In-state public colleges are more likely to accept dual credit than out-of-state or private colleges. 

Requirements for Dual Enrollment 

High school students must meet requirements before taking dual enrollment courses. Once again, the requirements vary from state to state and even by district.

The requirements usually include:

• Written recommendation from a teacher, principal, coach, or other high school or college staff member 
• Parent permission
• College course prerequisites or other course placement criteria
• Minimum ACT or SAT scores (or high school GPA)
• Entrance requirements are set by the college.

Presuming a high school student meets the requirements, they should carefully consider the challenges involved with taking college-level courses. Here’s why:

• Academic Rigor: The classes students take to earn college credit are more demanding than their typical high school class. It will require more attention, focus, dedication, and time. To handle the rigor, students will need to adapt. This will serve them well if they decide to go on to college after high school. It may impact performance in other high school classes.
• Time Management: When people multitask, they focus less on each activity. If students take a college course, they may have to cut back on extracurricular activities and other high school experiences (especially when classes are in separate locations). It also means more juggling regarding when to take classes, as dual enrollment courses may conflict with standard high school courses
• Social Adjustment: High school students who take classes on a college campus will be in an unfamiliar environment with new people. Some may feel uncomfortable socially. Even if the class is in the high school, it may be in a different part of the building, pulling students away from their friends. These changes could be a positive as students can adjust and expand their circles.
• Transferability: For many high school students, the primary reason they take dual enrollment classes is to secure college credit. However, (as noted above), not all schools give college credits for dual enrollment credits. Therefore, students should verify the transfer policies of colleges that they are considering attending. Depending on school policy, they may be better off taking AP classes.

Equality of Access to Dual Enrollment Courses

While dual enrollment courses are available in many high schools, they are not always equally accessible to all students.

The U.S. Department of Education reports, “Dual enrollment is often less accessible at schools that serve larger proportions of lower-income communities and communities of color. Even when it is available, students from these same communities participate at lower rates.” 

Schools, districts, and states can take steps to lower the barriers and provide greater access for all students. Here’s how:

• Financial support In states that don’t fund dual enrollment courses, schools can work with colleges to reduce or waive tuition fees for dual enrollment courses. Waivers could also be given for textbooks, transportation, and course requirements.
• Academic Preparation Prepare the students to take college courses by offering preparatory courses or workshops so they meet prerequisites. Students can then feel confident they can handle the challenge. 
• Outreach/Support Services Students and their families should be made aware of dual enrollment as early as possible. It could be promoted in middle school to raise awareness among students and families. Partner with community organizations to get the word out. 

Once students are enrolled in dual enrollment courses, they could have a mentor, academic counseling, and peer support networks. This level of support can help with the academic and personal challenges that may arise due to the challenging classes. 

This is where a program like Xello Communities can be most beneficial. A dedicated online community where high school students considering, or participating, in dual enrollment can interact with colleges is invaluable for driving awareness about the program’s benefits while fostering a sense of belonging. This space allows students to connect with college representatives, peers, and alumni, offering firsthand insights and guidance about dual enrollment opportunities. 

The College Perspective 

How do colleges feel about dual enrollment? One might logically think they frown on it. After all, high school students who take dual enrollment courses potentially reduce the time and cost of a degree. So, the college loses out on potential revenue. 

However, the benefits of students taking college-level courses outweigh the negatives. High school students who take college courses and do well in them demonstrate that they can handle the academic rigor that college-level work demands. Note that the college or university offering the dual enrollment program matters. Accredited institutions are preferred.

There’s data to back up the value of dual enrollment. A Columbia University/Community College Research Center study found that 88% of concurrent enrollment students attend college post-high school. And those same students are twice as likely (compared to those who enter with no credits) to complete their degree, according to a University of Texas study.   

So, dual enrollment courses encourage students to go to college. Once on campus, these students are more likely to stay and complete their degree.

How Xello Helps

As more students take dual enrollment classes, they’re starting to think about higher education at an earlier age. Xello Communities helps colleges forge genuine connections with prospective students as early as 9th grade.

These types of interactions demystify dual enrollment and highlight its value, encouraging informed decision-making. And by feeling part of a supportive community, students are more likely to continue their education with the college after high school graduation and become advocates, sharing their positive experiences and promoting the program to younger students. This cycle of awareness and community support amplifies dual enrollment’s reach and impact.

Colleges can build a community around their school profile on Xello Communities, providing information and context for their dual enrollment programs. Xello Communities reaches over one million students in the USA who are already exploring their college and career options. 

Learn more about Xello Communities and pre-inquiry marketing and how it can help your college connect with dual enrollment students.