Dual enrollment, in which high school students take college courses for credit, is an increasingly popular educational program. As states and local education authorities (LEAs) devote resources to this initiative, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of these investments. Doing so presents unique challenges, however, because the data and analytic requirements of evaluating dual enrollment require coordination among individual high schools, LEAs, postsecondary institutions, and states. These challenges can be overcome, and the effort it takes to do so is well worth the financial and human investment.
This summary is intended to help decision-makers understand why research on dual enrollment programs is important and how policymakers can support research activities.
This report was produced under U.S. Department of Education Contract No. ED05CO0060 with the Council of Chief State School Officers. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the Department of Education. No official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of any product, commodity, service or enterprise mentioned in this publication is intended or should be inferred.
