FAQs
Find answers to common questions about dual enrollment generally and the relevant services DualWorks provides.
Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to take college-level classes, enhancing the educational offering at each school. Depending on the program, these dual enrollment courses can take place in a variety of locations, including at their high school, at a partner college, at another educational location or online. Students earn college credits for the courses they take, giving them a head start on earning a college certificate or degree. In some cases, students also earn high school credits, allowing one course to apply towards both their high school diploma and a future college degree.
Dual enrollment is an evidence-based practice that has demonstrated broad positive impacts on student outcomes, including closing the college equity gap.
In general, the targeted audience for dual enrollment programs is high school students. Specifics vary based on state, regional or local education policies.
Dual enrollment expands opportunities for quality high school learning by increasing access to college-level education. When high school students are allowed to take college courses, it significantly improves college access, persistence, and graduation outcomes across demographics.
Dual enrollment also offers college courses at a much lower cost than the average college and often opens pathways to higher education for first-generation students.
If you are part of a school or district, start by confirming the interest, capacity, and buy-in for dual enrollment among your key decision-makers. If your state supports an MOU process, once you have confirmed internal support, identify an interested college partner and collaboratively draft an MOU that outlines the roles of each partner.
During the MOU development process, build a strong, positive relationship with your dual enrollment partner and determine the dual enrollment model that works best for both parties. The terms of the MOU should provide further guidance about the particular logistics for launching your dual enrollment program. DualWorks can assist you in this process.
While dual enrollment by itself can create positive outcomes, a well-designed and coordinated dual enrollment program will generate a higher level of success for a greater number of students. A quality dual enrollment program should demonstrate strong college partnerships, focus on equity, show strong integration with college and district plans and frameworks, provide dual credit for high school graduation, and include outcome data, defined pathways, and student support.
To support the development of high-quality dual enrollment programs, DualWorks leverages the rubric that underpins the California Dual Enrollment Exemplary Award, which originated as a certification project for DualWorks’ Dual Enrollment Leadership Academy and is now recognized nationwide as a quality standard.
You should view your dual enrollment program as part of a larger system, and build and evaluate pieces intentionally to maximize their effectiveness. As practitioners, you should be willing to critically examine your data and make adjustments when needed. Have goals that extend beyond your dual enrollment program to ensure that access, opportunity, and success align with the maximum number of students.
The best way to assess effectiveness is through evidence-based system metrics, such as strong college partnerships, focus on equity, integration with college and district plans and frameworks, dual credit for high school graduation, outcome data, defined pathways, and student support.
It’s also important to understand which students are being served and whether they represent the full spectrum of students in your organization. This means not only enrollment but success moving forward. Specific metrics of success can include credits earned, GPA, and completion of a high school diploma, as well as college enrollment and college certificates or degrees.
DualWorks is a nonprofit operating as an unbiased third party to support the goals of each participating school, district and college and the requirements of nationwide education policies. As fellow practitioners, our job is to listen and respond, helping you design intentionally and implement successfully, whether launching, refining, or building program capacity.
Our services include comprehensive coaching and consulting, customized to each client’s needs. We also host leadership events, including our signature Dual Enrollment Annual Summit, Dual Enrollment Leadership Academy (DELA), and DualWorks Summer Institute, and serve as an ongoing advocate and resource for advancing dual enrollment nationwide.
DualWorks works directly with schools, districts, colleges, county offices of education and other education leaders, to help design, implement, and enhance all types of dual enrollment programs, including Early College High Schools, Middle College High Schools, College and Career Access Pathways, and Concurrent Enrollment/Dual Credit Programs.
In addition, DualWorks partners with nonprofits, coalitions, state, regional or local education agencies, higher education organizations, K-12 educational organizations, government or education leaders, researchers, policymakers, and others who share our commitment to college opportunity and student success through the growth and strengthening of dual enrollment.
We bring years of practical experience and educational focus in the service of dual enrollment and student success, including a willingness to collaborate with our fellow practitioners to create sustainable solutions. As a dual enrollment leader, DualWorks is a national resource for the latest in research, policy, and best practices, and applies our expertise with on-the-ground support and comprehensive services across the dual enrollment landscape.
Please complete the contact form here or email hello@dualenrollment.org.
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