In this workshop, CCRC will share models of effective practice, data tools, and practice assessments from research on colleges and K-12 schools that are rethinking dual enrollment as an on-ramp to college and career pathways after high school for students from underserved groups. In this emerging approach to DE, which we call “dual enrollment equity pathways” or DEEP, colleges and their K-12 partners broaden the benefits of DE through:

DEEP Outreach: Reaching out to underserved students and families to encourage and support them to participate in DE

DEEP Alignment: Aligning DE course offerings to bachelor’s and career-technical associate degree and apprenticeship programs in high-opportunity fields,

DEEP Advising: Helping every DE student with career and academic exploration, advising, and planning

DEEP Support: Delivering high-quality instruction with proactive supports to build DE students’ confidence as college learners.

During the workshop, participants will use research-based tools for benchmarking their practices against the DEEP model and reflect on strengths. Participants will also identify and prioritize areas for investment and improvement in their DE programs. Participants will learn how college-K-12 DE partnerships in diverse local contexts have implemented DEEP practices, as well as the leadership strategies, performance evaluation methods and metrics, and business models they are using to scale and sustain DEEP.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be ready to communicate the purpose and direction of their work to strengthen DE. Participants will be equipped with the tools to engage their respective school, district, and college partners in co-designing and implementing reforms aimed at advancing college and career success for their students—and supplying talent to support economic vitality in their communities.

Presenters

John Fink, Senior Research Associate and Program Lead, CCRC

Aurely Garcia Tulloch, Senior Research Assistant, CCRC

Sarah Griffin, Research Associate, CCRC

Susan Jackson, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Goose Creek Memorial Independent School District

Dual Enrollment (DE) programs offer invaluable opportunities for high school students to engage in college coursework, yet disparities persist in access and quality, particularly among marginalized groups. In response to this challenge, a concerted effort has emerged to reform DE programs, aiming to broaden their benefits for all students.

In this session, presenters will discuss the How States and Systems Can Support Practitioner Efforts to Strengthen Dual Enrollment report that was published by the Community College Research Center and the College in High School Alliance. Their discussion will focus on three core areas central to enabling DEEP: 1) expanding access to DE; 2) Strengthening DE as an On-Ramp to High-Opportunity Pathways; and 3) Building and Sustaining DE Partnerships.

Throughout their session, researchers will work with participants in engaging directly with the Policymaker Strategy Development Guide that was published in conjunction with the report. By engaging in this dialogue and adopting these recommendations, state and system leaders can play a pivotal role in advancing DE programs, ultimately fostering greater equity and success for all students in the transition from high school to college.

Presenters

Alex Perry, Coordinator, College in High School Alliance

Jessica Steiger, Senior Research Assistant and PEAR Fellow, CCRC

Join the NACEP Research Commissioners for an open conversation about dual and concurrent enrollment research, your interests in dual and concurrent enrollment research, and how the NACEP Research Commission can support you!

Presenters

NACEP Research Commission

John Fink, Senior Research Associate and Program Lead, CCRC; NACEP Research Commission Chair

In this plenary session, the Community College Research Center and NACEP will moderate a panel of current and former dual enrollment students who will share their firsthand experiences, challenges, and successes in their dual enrollment programs. Attendees will gain insights into how dual enrollment has shaped their academic journeys and future aspirations, and how practitioners can better support dual enrollment students at their institutions.

Presenters

Aurely Garcia Tulloch, Senior Research Assistant, CCRC

Amy Williams, Executive Director, NACEP

Dual Enrollment Student Panelists

Join experts from CCRC and NACEP to dive into federal datasets and unlock insights about dual enrollment. In this hands-on session, participants can explore key data sources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), and the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) to better understand dual enrollment participation trends. Bring a laptop and get ready to apply CCRC’s interactive dashboards and spreadsheet templates. Participants will leave with practical tools to support program improvement and strengthen advocacy efforts.

Presenters

John Fink, Senior Research Associate and Program Lead, CCRC

Dianne Barker, Director of State Engagement, NACEP

What are the postsecondary enrollment and completion outcomes post-high school among dual enrollment students in your state? Drawing on National Student Clearinghouse data on a cohort of high school students taking dual enrollment (DE) courses nationally, this session will feature new research showing who participates in dual enrollment (by race/ethnicity, income, and gender), which types of colleges former DE participants attend after high school (including how many return to their DE college post-HS), and the rates at which former participants earn a college degree within four-year post-HS. Presenters will share key takeaways from the national and state-by-state analysis and demonstrate how to use public data dashboards to showcase state results benchmarked to national averages. After the research presentation, attendees will engage in discussion on state-by-state findings and how to use National Student Clearinghouse and other national data sources to support program improvement and advocacy.

Presenters

Tatiana Velasco, Senior Research Associate, CCRC

Daniel March, Senior Research Assistant and PEAR Fellow, CCRC

John Fink, Senior Research Associate and Program Lead, CCRC

Many college students are still honing their skills for managing their learning, but instructors can assist them. Guided by a researcher and a practitioner, this session focuses on instructional strategies to bolster students' abilities to motivate and manage their learning processes--referred to as self-directed learning skills in online STEM courses. Presenters will share theoretical, empirical, and practitioner-focused perspectives to cultivate motivation and manage learning processes. They will delve into creating inclusive environments, addressing emotional and metacognitive barriers, that foster skill development. Through both small and whole group discussions, participants will collaborate and learn from one another. The session revolves around these core questions:

1. How can instructors integrate SDL support in online courses?
2. How do contextual factors and students' experiences influence SDL skill development?
3. What support is necessary to implement SDL strategies effectively?

By addressing these questions, instructors can enhance students' abilities to navigate their learning journeys effectively. 

Presenters

Akilah Thompson, Senior Research Assistant, CCRC

Krystal Thomas, Senior Education Researcher, SRI Education

Wanda Velez, Coordinator, Biology Instructor, Virginia State University

Postsecondary Teaching with Technology Collaborative