Concurrent Enrollment Outcomes by Course Location

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we compared the initial outcomes of students who took concurrent enrollment (CE) at their high school with those who did so at a local college. We use propensity score matching to produce like groups and compare grades and credit hours earned at three time points. At the end of high school, we compare CE credit hours and grade point average (GPA). After matriculation, we compare GPA and credit hours earned at the end of the first and second postsecondary semesters. Data come from the state of Colorado comprising a panel covering all concurrent enrollment students in the state between 2012 and 2016. Our results indicate that matched students do not have statistically significant differences in GPA or credit hours earned at any point. The results offer some support that CE grades that were awarded highly similar regardless of whether delivered in a high school or a college setting, and there are no statistically significant differences after postsecondary enrollment. The results support high schools offering CE in a format that best fits the local conditions. Institutions can use this information when considering transfer agreements and when entering into provider agreements with high schools.

Plain Language Summary

Concurrent enrollment (CE) credits are often earned through partnerships between high schools and community colleges. There are concerns about the quality differences between credits earned from courses offered at high schools compared to those offered at community colleges. To investigate this issue, we used statewide data from the CE program in Colorado and generated statistically matched students to compare these two groups. We compared the credit hours and grades for CE students while they are in high school and again after they matriculate to college. We found no differences in grade point average or credit hours earned. The results support high schools offering CE in a format that best fits the local conditions and address quality concerns of universities accepting credits earned at high schools. Institutions can use this information when considering transfer agreements and when entering into provider agreements with high schools.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).