The number of Colorado students taking college courses while still enrolled in high school is on the rise, according to a state report released Friday.
Nearly 30 percent of Colorado’s 11th-graders and 12th-graders took part in a dual enrollment program during the 2014-15 school year – an increase of 15 percent over the previous year.
The report examined trends in concurrent enrollment (programs of simultaneous high school and college courses created under 2009 Colorado legislation, and offered for free to students) and dual enrollment (similar programs but not created under the legislation).
Among the highlights:
- Denver Public Schools had the most students participating in concurrent enrollment (2,848).
- All students in Karval RE-23 School District about 80 miles east of Colorado Springs took part in concurrent enrollment, making it the Colorado district with the highest percentage of students in concurrent enrollment.
- Among two-year colleges, Arapahoe Community College (3,614 students) and the Community College of Aurora (3,339) served the most students.
“As college tuition costs continue to increase, dual enrollment programs are becoming life-changing assets for Colorado’s students, enabling them to get a jump ahead, not only on their education but on the investment in their future,” Colorado Education Commissioner Richard Crandall said in a statement.
For more on the report, read this story from our partners at The Denver Post.
You can read the full report here.
Past Chalkbeat coverage of this issue:
Dual enrollment on the rise in Colorado (2013)
In Indiana, fast-growing ‘early college’ programs tackle barriers to college (2016)