Are you looking to empower high school students with the tools they need for college and career success? Washington STEM is excited to announce the updated High School to Postsecondary Toolkit, a vital resource now available for download. This comprehensive toolkit is designed to help educators, administrators, and counselors create more equitable pathways to higher education and fulfilling careers for all students.
Addressing Equity Gaps in Dual Credit Programs
This toolkit emerges from a detailed study conducted at Eisenhower High School during 2020-21, focusing on disparities in dual credit program participation. Dual credit programs, which allow students to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously, are proven to significantly boost college enrollment and completion rates. However, not all students have equal access to these valuable opportunities.
The Eisenhower study delved into course data, student and staff experiences, and identified key barriers, particularly for Latinx male students. The College and Career Readiness Toolkit provides a scalable, data-driven approach to address these inequities and enhance dual credit programs in your own school or district.
To understand the genesis of this project, explore our articles detailing the partnership and project development and insights from student voices on improving dual credit programs.
Why Dual Credit Matters for College and Career Readiness
Investing in dual credit programs is an investment in students’ futures. Research consistently shows that dual credit opportunities:
- Accelerate Degree Completion: Reduce the time and financial burden of pursuing both 2-year and 4-year college degrees.
- Build College Confidence: Foster a strong college-going identity and boost students’ self-assurance in their academic abilities.
- Increase Postsecondary Enrollment: Significantly increase the likelihood of students enrolling in and succeeding in postsecondary education.
Key Findings from the Eisenhower High School Study
Eisenhower High School initiated this project to investigate suspected disparities in dual credit access and participation. Their data-driven approach revealed crucial insights:
- Dual Credit Boosts Postsecondary Success: Students participating in dual credit programs, especially Advanced Placement (AP) and College in the High School, demonstrated higher rates of college enrollment and degree completion.
- Equity Barriers for Latinx Males: Significant obstacles hindered Latinx male students’ access to, enrollment in, and completion of dual credit coursework.
- Teachers as Key Information Source: Teaching staff, not counselors, are the primary source of information about dual credit programs for students. However, a concerning 50% of teachers reported feeling unprepared to provide adequate dual credit guidance.
- Peer Influence: Older students and peers also play a significant role in shaping students’ awareness and decisions regarding dual credit.
A Practical Toolkit for Building Equitable Pathways
The High School to Postsecondary Toolkit is a direct outcome of the Eisenhower High School study, offering practical strategies and resources to create more equitable dual credit programs. It includes:
- Practical examples and templates for implementation.
- Clear instructions for accessing and analyzing relevant data.
- Guidance on conducting student and staff surveys and interviews.
- Actionable steps to identify and address equity gaps in your context.
Washington STEM is committed to leveraging this toolkit to support partners across Washington state in making informed, local improvements to dual credit programs. Furthermore, we will continue to advocate for statewide policies that promote equitable access to and success in dual credit opportunities.
Enhance your school’s college and career readiness initiatives. Download the High School to Postsecondary Toolkit today and start building a more equitable future for your students.
Learn more about this impactful project at Eisenhower High School by reading our feature article: “Developing Equitable Dual Credit Experiences”.
Gain deeper insights into student perspectives on dual credit programs in our article: “Listening to Student Voice: Improving Dual Credit Programs”.
