My Proposition

Concurrent enrollment partnerships provide many benefits not only to high school students but also state finacial aid funds and the job market. Advanced students have the opportunity for rigorous postsecondary academic challenges in their own supportive high school environment and are evaluated with multiple and varied assessments, as opposed to one high-stakes test such as the ACT. Students may complete college earlier, saving the state both financial aid for funds for the student and support for the college. Studies have shown that concurrent enrollment increases the rigor of secondary education, strengthens the links between the secondary and post secondary education systems and can motivate students by making them familiar with college settings and courses. Students enrolled in concurrent enrollment programs are more likely than their peers to earn a high school diploma, and more likely to enroll full time in a four year institution, which generally leads to better outcomes in college. Once enrolled in college these students are more likely to stay enrolled and to have significantly higher grade point averages. A student who takes career-technical course work may also fulfill college certificate requirements. With these opportunities high school students have the ability to graduate with an Associates Degree or certificate, or at the very least complete their college degree sooner, and thus be able to move into the job market earlier with better skills.

Likewise partner schools reap the benefits of concurrent enrollment and Advanced Placement courses. High school instructors are provided with ongoing professional development led by college and university faculty. A.P. courses create spill over effects that raise the bar throughout partner schools, even in non A.P. courses. These partnerships also foster networks among secondary and post secondary educators that help provide a seamless transition for students as they move from high school to college. The advantages these programs offer to partnership schools are significant. These improvements are a benefit not only to A.P. and concurrent enrollment students but to the entire student bodies of the high schools and colleges that they attend.

Students from a broad spectrum of backgrounds benefit from enrolling in college courses while still in high school. According to the National Center for Education statistics all 50 states now offer concurrent enrollment programs. Over 680,000 high school students in 72% of America’s public high schools took concurrent enrollment courses in 2002-03. Concurrent enrollment opportunities increase student access to alternative venues for learning, which are lacking in many rural areas. Students who function better in the less structured environment of colleges often find appropriate courses in colleges. Access is available to a broad range of students when college courses are placed within high schools. Dixie State College, in conjunction with local area high schools, currently offers several options for the student who wishes to take advantages of accelerated learning opportunities. One of these options is concurrent enrollment. Concurrent enrollment allows high school students to be released from one or more class periods to attend college courses which provide credit for high school and college. The advantages of accelerated learning are obvious. High school students are able to earn high school and college credit simultaneously, allowing them to complete a college degree far quicker than can be done other wise.