Programs that allow high school students to begin to earn college credit can significantly boost the likelihood that students in poverty eventually go on to earn a college degree, according to a University of Iowa study.
Brian P. An, an assistant professor in educational policy and leadership, tracked the academic paths of 8,800 students in the National Educational Longitudinal Study. He found that students who had taken part in dual-enrollment programs in high school were 8 percentage points more likely to earn a postsecondary degree—and 7 percentage points more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree, in particular—than students who had not participated, after controlling for other student and school characteristics.
Mr. An found dual enrollment had an even stronger effect when participants were compared with other students who were not in other accelerated programs, such as Advanced Placement.
