The Role and Position of Dual Credit in P-20 Education

Author

Aaron HeinzmannFollow

Abstract

The trend in dual credit enrollment and deployment in secondary and postsecondary institutions has been steadily increasing over the last few decades. All 50 states have some form of dual credit that provides opportunity for secondary students to accelerate through their postsecondary pathways by earning college credits while still in high school. Students in dual credit can expect to achieve higher grade point averages in college, finish their degrees or certificates sooner, and realize postsecondary cost savings. As dual credit continues to permeate the P-20 landscape, educational leaders consider and continue to realize the benefits and drawbacks of accelerated collegiate programming. With community colleges being the primary provider of dual credit, institutional leadership studies its impact. This research examines dual credit at one midwestern community college in a mixed methods approach to contribute to the statistical literature on grade point average achievement, as well as examine the perceptions of current and former dual credit enrollees on their experiences. Grade point average data was examined through a population of 5,715 students in the 2022-23 academic year and 25 students were interviewed in multiple settings to gather insight into their dual credit experiences. Key themes in the qualitative portion of the research centered around dual credit and student postsecondary planning, dual credit and college readiness, and dual credit and choice of postsecondary institution, program of study, and career selection.

Keywords: dual credit, college readiness, community college, secondary, postsecondary, P-20, educational leaders, postsecondary planning, program of study, career selection

Year manuscript completed

2024

Year degree awarded

2024

Author's Keywords

dual credit, college readiness, community college, secondary, postsecondary, P-20, educational leaders, postsecondary planning, program of study, career selection

Dissertation Committee Chair

Brian Parr

Committee Member

Katelynn Mollett

Committee Member

Ashley Becker

Document Type

Dissertation

Recommended Citation

Heinzmann, Aaron, "The Role and Position of Dual Credit in P-20 Education" (2024). Murray State Theses and Dissertations. 356.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/etd/356