High school students who take college classes through dual enrollment programs are more likely to have a higher grade point in college and to graduate. Perhaps more importantly, they are more likely to attend college.
Colorado’s Department of Education has released its annual report on dual enrollment for the school year 2015–2016, and it shows a slightly higher participation rate than in the previous year. A total of 38,500 students enrolled in dual enrollment classes, including 30 percent of 11th and 12th grade students statewide. That is encouraging. But for all the benefits of dual enrollment, which permits students to take college courses with no tuition charge, there is room to do more.
Statistics show Durango School District 9-R with 118 or about 10 percent of its high school students in dual enrollment. Montezuma-Cortez High School is also at 10 percent.
District 9-R’s superintendent would like the percentage to be 25 percent, not 10. Why? For Dan Snowberger it is a matter of acquiring confidence. Students who succeed at college-level courses acquire needed confidence to attempt college, and to succeed at post-secondary educational endeavors. They may also do better in their other classes.
There are obstacles to dual enrollment. The state requires that high school teachers who deliver college-level instruction have a master’s degree in that specialty. Logistics, which includes scheduling, may make it difficult or impossible for high school students to travel to a college campus for dual enrollment class. Perhaps that is why Fort Lewis College lists only 50 dual enrollment students in the 2015-16 school year.
To be effective, students should not be enrolled in dual enrollment classes just to save tuition or to get them out of the way. The courses have to be delivered with adequate academic rigor and they have to be taken seriously.
Improving the flow between elementary, middle, high school and college, the latter having the biggest need, is also critical.
Dual enrollment has demonstrated results. Growing the number of students who participate is one way to raise their educational accomplishments. Let’s hope that Southwest Colorado students can become stronger participants too.
