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Students who are ready to meet the challenge of a college curriculum but have not yet graduated from high school may have the option of taking courses that simultaneously fulfill requirements toward high school graduation and college degree programs.
Dual credit programs—also known as concurrent credit—allow eleventh and twelfth grade students to take college courses. These courses may be offered at the high school or on a college campus. Often, for a student to receive college credit, he or she must pass the course with a grade of “C” or higher.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education (9/24/07), “Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to simultaneously earn credit towards a high school diploma and a postsecondary degree or certificate. Depending on state policies, these programs are also called ‘dual credit’ or ‘concurrent enrollment.’” Although dual enrollment programs are not new to education, they are constantly evolving to ensure a smooth transition for students from high school to post-secondary institutions of higher learning.
What are the Benefits of Taking Dual Credits?
From a student’s perspective, the biggest benefit for earning concurrent credits is that they can get a head start on college and possibly graduate from their degree programs earlier than planned. From a state level, educators hope that dual enrollment programs will encourage students to pursue their education past the post-secondary level.
Another advantage for students is that they can get a “taste” for the rigors of a college curriculum before they attend college on a full-time basis. Many educators believe that this allows for a smoother high school to college transition. With one in four college freshman dropping out of college, educators hope that students will have the study skills they need to thrive after participating in a dual enrollment program.
Who is Eligible for a Concurrent Enrollment Program?
There is no one-size-fits-all criterion for eligibility in a dual enrollment program since the requirements and funding sources vary from state to state. However, Canada’s George Brown College has a typical model for this type of program. Here are a few of the requirements for their program:
• “Students in Grade 11 or 12 who are working towards their OSSD and who have earned 18 credits will be eligible. Students are selected by their secondary school principal, guidance counsellor [sic], and student success team and must apply for the program before the start of the semester. Selected students will have: good learning potential, ability to attempt college level studying, and regular attendance.”
• There is no cost for the program. (Note: Some U.S. school districts require students to earn a grade of “C” or higher; otherwise, they may be responsible for tuition, books, and other associated fees.)
• When students begin college, they will present their transcript and course outline to claim a course exemption.
In the United States, there is much diversity among similar programs. In states such as Arkansas, West Virginia, and California, the student is responsible for paying for tuition and course-related materials. In other states, the institution or state pays the fees.
For more information about the diversity of dual enrollment programs, refer to the 2005 report published by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Adult and Vocational Education, “Update to State Dual Enrollment Policies: Addressing Access and Quality.” While most states require students to wait until grade 11 and 12 to participate, a select few allow high school freshmen and sophomores to participate in concurrent enrollment programs.
