Growing Dual Enrollment with Equity

According to projections from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, by 2031, about 72% of jobs will require some form of postsecondary education.

Sadly, many students struggle to see themselves continuing their education after high school. They may feel that a university, community college, or certificate program is beyond their reach, especially if they don’t understand how to identify, apply for, and/or afford additional education or training.

By providing the chance to earn college credit while still in high school, dual enrollment has proven to be an effective strategy for not only equity but also for increasing matriculation into post-secondary education and training.

Kylie Campbell, Former Director of Outreach Services and Early College for Kern Community College District, provided some replicable steps during her keynote at the 2023 Get Focused Stay Focused Conference at the University of California Santa Barbara.

A Model for Equity in Kern Community College District

Many Kern Community College District partner high schools provide STDV B3 as a dual enrollment course for ALL 9th grade students using Career Choices and Changes. Not only does this dual enrollment opportunity drive increased enrollment in STDV B3 as seen in this graphic, but it also results in students taking advantage of an array of other dual enrollment courses as they continue through high school.

Model for Equity at Allan Hancock College

At Allan Hancock College, 7 of their 11 partner high schools enroll ALL 9th grade students in PROD301, a dual enrollment course using Career Choices and Changes. In an area where 88% of high school students are Latinx and 81% are economically disadvantaged, this early college experience empowers students to explore and pursue dual enrollment options throughout high school.

And, as the number of students developing a 10-Year Plan in PROD301 has grown each academic year so has the total number of high school students receiving early college credit through Allan Hancock College.