Recent enrollment data for fall 2024 indicates that dual-enrolled high school students constitute nearly half of the enrollment at community colleges in Colorado. The Colorado Community College System reported that out of 88,118 students enrolled in two-year colleges, over 39,000 are still in high school. This trend aligns with a national pattern showing that around 20% of community college students participate in dual enrollment programs.
Colorado’s Concurrent Enrollment Framework
Colorado’s concurrent enrollment framework allows high school students to take college-level courses, prompting state lawmakers and educational advocates to investigate the long-term effects and financial implications of these initiatives. Recent legislative actions have called for studies aimed at improving and streamlining the established system.
High school students have been responsible for nearly 90% of the growth in community college enrollment in the current academic year. This trend has gained momentum since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as more high school students engage with community colleges. According to Sarah Heath, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, the emphasis on the benefits of dual enrollment programs has resonated with the student population.
Enrollment Statistics and Trends
Enrollment statistics show that approximately 3,100 new students have enrolled at Colorado community colleges this year, with 2,770 of those being high school students. In contrast, enrollment among students who have already graduated from high school has seen only modest increases, with older adult learners making up an increasingly smaller segment of the community college enrollment.
On a national scale, community colleges have outperformed public four-year institutions in enrollment numbers, in part due to the growing participation of high school students in dual enrollment programs. A recent report highlighted a 7% increase in the number of students under the age of 17 enrolled in dual enrollment courses this fall compared to the previous year.
Understanding Dual Enrollment Trends in Colorado
The majority of dual-enrolled high school students are part-time participants, with most enrolling in fewer than 12 credit hours. This contributes to a rising number of part-time students within community colleges. Out of the total enrollment, only 22,715 students are registered for full-time study.
Many dual-enrolled students do not attend college campuses physically, as certified high school instructors increasingly offer college-level classes. Typically, these students graduate high school having earned a limited number of college credits. State officials have indicated that these credits assist in reducing the overall costs associated with higher education. A state report from 2020 estimated that high school graduates saved approximately $53 million in tuition expenses through dual enrollment programs.
Diversity in Dual Enrollment Programs
Current enrollment data does not specify diversity statistics for high school students in dual enrollment programs, but historical data reflects the demographic diversity characteristic of Colorado’s K-12 student population. In 2021, roughly 50% of enrolled students were identified as white, around 25% were Hispanic, and about 3.5% identified as Black.
However, the latest report does not elaborate on how these programs specifically benefit low-income students or those who may gain the most financial assistance.
Geographical and Financial Aspects of Dual Enrollment
The majority of dual-enrolled high school students reside in urban and suburban regions along the Front Range of Colorado, although many rural districts exhibit higher participation rates. Colorado currently has 561 cooperative agreements between school districts and both two- and four-year colleges, with only two districts not engaged in dual enrollment.
Front Range Community College and Arapahoe Community College are prominent in partnering with school districts, together enrolling approximately 25,000 high school students, which constitutes about 62% of the dual-enrollment demographic. Participation rates are particularly elevated in rural districts such as Crowley, Edison, and Silverton, where more than 70% of high school students are dual enrolled.
The funding for dual enrollment programs is generally a shared responsibility between school districts and the state. For instance, programs like ASCENT enable students to attend college during their fifth year of high school, contingent upon their completion of the FAFSA, which allows them to qualify for Pell grants. This federal aid helps offset costs incurred by the state. This year, Colorado expects to allocate around $17 million to support approximately 1,200 ASCENT students.
National dialogues have raised concerns regarding the allocation of state funds to these programs, questioning whether they primarily benefit students already inclined to pursue higher education. Research indicates that only about two-thirds of dual-enrolled students in Colorado proceed to college after graduation, with lower-income students particularly less likely to continue their education.
Legislative Interest in Enhancing Dual Enrollment Programs
In response to the recognized advantages of dual enrollment, Colorado lawmakers are advocating for comprehensive data on the state’s diverse programs. A recent state task force has underscored the necessity for a unified early career and college system, which has currently evolved into a disparate collection of offerings across various districts.
Existing programs come with varied reporting requirements, complicating assessments of their effectiveness. New legislation passed this year aims to:
- Conduct an in-depth financial analysis of program costs,
- Compile comprehensive long-term outcome data,
- Expand college opportunities for high school students,
- Establish a cohesive framework for college and career education initiatives.
This legislative initiative illustrates a growing acknowledgment among policymakers that effective dual enrollment programs can help address disparities in access to higher education.
(Source: Chalkbeat)
