Fast Facts
Why We Study the High-School-to-College Transition
CCRC conducts research on programs and policies designed to prepare high school students for college, including programs focused on math, writing, and reading readiness, the transition from high school to college, and early college schools and programs.
One segment of this work focuses on acceleration programs like dual enrollment, which—along with Advanced Placement (AP)—is among the largest and fastest-growing options for high school students who want to get a jump start on their postsecondary degree requirements. CCRC researchers are investigating how such programs affect later outcomes, such as enrollment in college, persistence, and credential completion.
CCRC also studies interventions intended to boost college readiness among underprepared high school students. These reforms, including transition courses and summer bridge programs, dovetail with CCRC’s extensive work on developmental education.
Finally, as colleges advance their guided pathways reforms, they are increasingly reaching down into high schools to help students start exploring their interests and program options and developing a college and career plan. CCRC researchers are studying these types of cross-sector partnerships to understand how community colleges can start supporting students earlier in their educational journey.
Featured Project
Scaling Dual Enrollment Equity Pathways
CCRC is working in Florida and Texas to expand efforts by community colleges and their K-12 partners to extend equity-focused guided pathways practices to dual enrollment students from underserved groups—an approach we're calling "dual enrollment equity pathways," or DEEP.
Key Terms
Dual enrollment
Transition curricula
Summer bridge programs
Diving Deeper Into Dual Enrollment Equity Practices
Dual enrollment equity pathways (DEEP) is a framework for rethinking dual enrollment as a more equitable on-ramp to college degree programs that prepare underserved students for well-paying, career-path employment in their 20s. Key DEEP practices:
Reach out to underserved students and schools
Align dual enrollment course offerings to college degrees and careers
Advise students to explore interests and develop plans
Support students by delivering high-quality instruction
Related Blog Posts
Our High School to College Experts
Davis Jenkins
Senior Research Scholar
John Fink
Senior Research Associate and Program Lead
Veronica Minaya
Senior Research Associate and Program Lead
Tatiana Velasco
Senior Research Associate
Read More
View all of our publications on the high-school-to-college transition.