Promising Combinations of Dual Enrollment, AP/IB, and CTE: The College and Earnings Trajectories of Texas High School Students Who Take Accelerated Coursework

Using data from Texas, this report examines how students combine different types of accelerated coursetaking in high school and how these combinations are associated with students’ subsequent postsecondary attainment and earnings trajectories.

2024-2026 Biennial Report

CCRC has been a leader in the field of community college research and reform for over 25 years. This biennial report describes some of CCRC’s accomplishments and new projects getting underway. As we approach our 30th anniversary in 2026, we look forward to building on this knowledge base and tackling new challenges, always with the intention of helping more students benefit from their community college experience.

More Essential Than Ever: Community College Pathways to Educational and Career Success

Drawing on a decade of research on whole-college guided pathways reforms at more than 100 community colleges nationally, the authors illustrate how colleges have implemented large-scale changes to help students better navigate the journey to completing a credential. They argue, however, that to achieve better and more equitable outcomes—and to recruit and retain more students in a highly competitive market—colleges must not only remove barriers to completion but also strengthen pathways to student goals after graduation, thus making their investment of money, time, and effort worth it.

Webinar: Redesigning Dual Enrollment to Support What Students Want

This webinar explores findings from the CCRC research brief “What Do Dual Enrollment Students Want?,” highlighting students’ perspectives and presenting research-based strategies colleges can use to support their dual enrollment students. Current and former dual enrollment students from CCRC’s Dual Enrollment Student Advisory Panel, will share their experiences. A Q&A with the student panelists will follow the presentation on the brief.

Exploring Workforce Training for Advanced Infrastructure, Energy, and Agriculture (AIREA) Jobs

Learn about a data tool that shows the demand for workers in high-opportunity occupations that are being impacted by efforts to improve sustainability and efficiency and the role community colleges play in preparing students for such jobs in this blog post.

Latest Research Findings

Promising Combinations of Dual Enrollment, AP/IB, and CTE: The College and Earnings Trajectories of Texas High School Students Who Take Accelerated Coursework

Tatiana Velasco, Wonsun Ryu, Lauren Schudde, Karissa Grano, Davis Jenkins & John Fink

Who Rides Out the Storm? The Immediate Post-College Transition and its Role in Socioeconomic Earnings Gaps

Judith Scott-Clayton, Veronica Minaya, CJ Libassi & Joshua Thomas

Community Colleges: History, Performance, and Paths to Improvement

Thomas Brock, Ava Mateo & Alexa Ray

Focus Areas

Dual Enrollment

Developmental Education

Guided Pathways

Advising & Student Supports

Teaching & Learning

Transfer

College to Career

New on CCRC's Blog

New CCRC Research on How Low-Income Students’ First Jobs Predict Earnings After Graduation

Climate week NYC 2025; contains photos of a CUNY-led climate event

Climate Week NYC Event Explores the Future of Community College Climate Workforce Programs

What Student Interviews Reveal About Placement, Pacing, and Advising in Corequisite Courses

Our Mission

CCRC studies community colleges because they provide critical access to postsecondary education and are uniquely positioned to promote equity and social mobility in the United States. Our mission is to conduct research that helps these institutions strengthen opportunities and improve outcomes for their students, particularly those from underserved populations.

Learn more about us