Dual Enrollment

Students enrolled in secondary school (called high school in the United States) may be dual enrolled at a local institution of higher learning, such as a community college or university. These students may take classes at either institution for credit toward their high school diploma, as well as for college credit. Many state governments within the United States have recognized the benefit of dual enrollment and have consequently instructed their public universities to begin collaborating with local schools. Some private universities also participate.

Dual enrollment in both secondary school and college is advantageous to students because it allows them to get a head start on their college careers. In some cases, the student may even be able to attain an Associate of Arts or equivalent degree shortly before or after one's high school graduation. Furthermore, it may ease the transition from high school to college.

In addition, dual enrollment is seen by parents as a money saving strategy that avoids skyrocketing tuition costs because courses are paid for and taken through the local high school. State government officials also see dual enrollment as a net savings due to the lower present value of funds spent earlier, as opposed to those spent later. Public school costs are also lower than they would be at postsecondary institutions.

One form of dual enrollment is concurrent enrollment. Concurrent enrollment ...