Dual-enrollment classes were established in the 1990’s (Wilkinson, 338) to give qualified high school students a chance to gain college curriculum experience. While, also, earning college credit that is counted for in the bachelor’s degree program. To say that the pursuit of this extension of  a “college ready” program is a bad idea, is a bad idea in itself. The concern is the disconnection between high school and college cultured experience. You are implying that the program is a disservice to high school students. Dual-enrollment classes, more often than not, are to be taken on college campuses with college professors and college peers. Senior, and juniors depending on the school district, high school students able to further their education and get a head start on college credits. Dual-enrollment classes should be strongly encouraged for those high school students who feel prepared to take a college-level course.

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Students who excel in their high school classes, by junior or senior year, can feel stagnant in their education. Some students are naturally quick learners, good test takers and/or can retain information fairly well. All of these attributes can aid in a student’s ability to surpass their peers. To have the option to gain college curriculum early is a great academic choice. In studies reported by the National High School Center, it is found that that dual-enrollment classes have reduced the amount of remediation at the college level (Taczak and Thelin, 7). This opportunity can help motivate students to continue their education. “In 2010, a study of Oregon’s dual enrollment programs, for example, found that dually enrolled student are more likely to go to college, less likely to drop out as freshmen, and to have higher grade point averages than students who did not take college courses in high school,” (Kim, Why More Students Should Go to College in High School).  It can be seen as a part of the process of transition into college. You are giving students a head start on life. We know the ‘real world’ is nothing short of a competitive field.

Furthermore, one of the many benefits of dual-enrollment is being able to complete your college degree programs faster. If taken for both junior and senior year, you are only looking at 2 more years of college! Especially since the first 2 years are full of core curriculum classes, when you finally get to college you will be able to go straight into your degree focused classes. If done correctly, the dual-enrollment program can set you up for success in life. To get ahead and stay ahead in your career and life is a hard and rigorous task. Yes, you are cutting down your “college years” and you won’t have the full 4 years of experiencing college life. In my eyes, it is worth it. You are setting yourself apart from the competition when you apply for a job or an internship. You are giving yourself that edge that can put you above everyone else and secure that position.

In addition, the college courses are offered at a reduced tuition which can help families financially and still give their child a higher education. A deciding factor in high school graduates decision to not go to college can be the, ever increasing, cost. Low-income families are forced to neglect their child’s college education because tuition is out of their price range. With dual-enrollment classes, they can have a chance at that degree. The classes are offered at a discounted price that can allow college classes to become affordable. Within certain school districts, depending on circumstances, the school will be able to pay for the student to take the college-level courses.

Moreover, everyone loves to compare the two ‘college ready’ programs that are active in high schools, Advance Placement and Dual-Enrollment classes. Advanced placement (AP) classes are supposed to imitate the structure of a college-level class, apart of the ‘college ready’ incinitive. In reality, Advanced placement classes are a waste of time. The structure of the class is to give students two times the amount of work versus a regular class. Which contradicts the structure of a college course. In college if you are lucky, your professor to assign more than 5 assignments for the whole semester. The concept that giving high schoolers a multitude of assignments to complete very week to prepare them for college was poorly made. Dual-enrollment gives first-hand experience of the typical college classroom structure and curriculum.

To decide whether or not dual enrollment is the better option is to you. If you are a high school student or younger, then it depends on what type of student you and want to be. If you have already graduated high school, then it depends on your high school experience and how you believe the ‘college ready’ program stacks up against their future. I have learned that doing things that can set you apart from others and for success are worth it, in the end. How do you picture your life playing out? Do you see yourself in a position of higher authority? If so, then who would not want someone who is an overachiever as a boss? I definitely would because I know that, within that company, that boss is going to do their very best to make that a successful business. Allow your dreams to be your motivation. If you want to know more on the impact of college courses for dual enrollment students, then I would advise you to look into Kara Taczak and William H. Thelin’s work titled, “(Re)Envisioning the Divide: The Impact of College Courses on High School Students”. Take control over your own education and become the person you know you can become.

Works Cited

Rob Jenkins. Advanced Placement vs Dual Enrollment. The Chronicle of Higher Education. January 14, 2013.  https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/onhiring/advanced-placement-vs-dual-enrollment/35943

Kara Taczak and William H. Thelin. (Re)Envisioning the Divide: The Impact of College Courses on High School Students. The National Council of Teachers of English. September 2009. https://www.ncte.org/journals/tetyc/issues/v37-1

Caroline Wilkinson. Dual-Enrollment Writing Classes Should Always Be Pursued. Bad Ideas About Writing. West Virginia University Libraries Digital Publishing Institute Morgantown, WV. 2017.