The Education Commission of the States (ECS) recently published a brief focusing on how dual enrollment in CTE helps high school students graduate and enroll in postsecondary education.
As I reported last spring, data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that about 601,500 students were pursuing CTE dual enrollment in 2010-2011. ECS author Jennifer Dounay Zinth notes several studies demonstrating the benefits of CTE dual enrollment. For instance, a 2007 National Research Center for CTE study found that Florida CTE dual enrollment course completers were slightly more likely than all dually-enrolled students to go on to a four-year institution. Dual enrollment benefits can be especially strong for low-income students and male students.
In addition, the National Student Clearinghouse has published data showing that dually-enrolled students are more likely than students not pursuing dual enrollment to complete a degree within six years.
The brief recommends several state policies to support CTE dual enrollment:
- Course fees should not be paid by the student or parents.
- Course content and instructor credentials must match those of traditional postsecondary education.
- Courses should incorporate curriculum and standards informed by industry, leading to a recognized credential.
- States should ensure articulation and transfer.
The brief includes examples of states that are leading the charge in this area, including Florida's career dual enrollment program, Texas's requirement that CTE dual enrollment courses be taught on the college level and Louisiana's statewide articulation that allows the awarding and transfer of credit for embedded academic content in CTE courses. Learn more about dual enrollment in the states with our State CTE Profiles--choose Dual Enrollment and Articulation under topics.
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