Improvement Practices For Post Secondary Institutions; Dual Enrollment, Promotion, Retention, and Continuance.

Concept/Topic:

“Improvement Practices For Post Secondary Institutions; Dual Enrollment, Promotion, Retention, and Continuance”. 

The nature of this capstone project is to develop viable methods and means to further expand the concept of dual enrollment. My internal benefits are to impact my (LEA) local education agency and the perceptions towards advanced education in rural communities. My external goals are to widen the total initiative via outreach to college and universities outside of the State of Alabama, which would begin to lead into global pathways for this program’s impact on educational advancements and outcomes (i.e.) exposure, resources available, and application of skills and services. 

My recent conversation with a four-year college administrator (Chief of Staff) indicated to me that there is yet a greater need for this concept to be developed. Thus, it indicated that the impact is felt when there is no retention of students from high school to both 2-year and then 4-year colleges and universities. Our conversation also led into the impact on scholarships offered for students in various programs. In my personal experiences, I have seen students who participate in dual enrollment with an ACT Score  of 16-19 earn scholarships based on their performance in dual enrollment. Moreover, these students completed their associates’ degree and transitioned to a 4-year college in pursuit of their bachelors’ degree yet earning college scholarships. In short, ACT is only one indicator. I suggest that dual enrollment be considered to determine students’ success. The modest GPA requirement of 2.5 in the State of Alabama has opened many educational opportunities for students coming from rural and affluently challenging backgrounds. 

Later in my conversation with school leaders, I had a chance to discuss the issue with a local and current Superintendent of Education. We both shared a continued interest in dual enrollment programs, specifically for students in rural communities. The nature of this approach was to ensure more policy provisions for students entering dual enrollment and how the benefits need to align with their future career goals. Our discussion lead into developing programs in the early learning programs in P-12 educational settings which will impact future decisions made by students in the secondary settings. A implementation phase of this project (capstone) will focus on the early-elementary-middle grades readiness exposure. 

This will take a unique level of planning; however from this project and my direct interface with the concept I am certain we will produce favorable outcomes. Furthermore, I plan to revisit my initial presentation to the four-year university and to the two-year college in efforts of better managing a pipeline that will impact students from my school district and their entering post-secondary institutions. The outcomes are: increased enrollment, more retention of students in STEM programs, and mostly a more improved, diversified, and educated workforce. 

Resources:

          Blending high school and college can sharpen the focus of each: dual enrollment and early college experiences help students make smooth and successful transitions from high school to higher education. By Vargas, Joel; Hooker, Sarah; Gerwin, Carol. In: Phi Delta Kappan. Nov 2017, Vol 99 Issue 3, 13; Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. Language: English, Database: Expanded Academic ASAP

            Understanding College-Student Role: Perspectives of Participants in a High School/Community College Dual-Enrollment Program. By Lile, Joy R.; Ottusch, Timothy, M.; Jones, Terese; Richards, Leslie N.. Community College Journal of Research & Practice, February 2018 Vol. 42 Issue: 2 p95-111, 17p., Database: Supplemental Index

            More high school students could take college classes with dual enrollment. By: Mitchell, Alex. Grand Rapids Business Journal. 10/24/2011, Vol. 29 Issue 43, p17-17. 1/3p., Database; Regional Business News. 

            Dual Enrollment Programs and Courses for High School Students at Postsecondary Institutions: 2010-11. First Look. NCES 2013-002. By: Marken, Stephanie; Gray, Lucindda; Lewis, Laurie. National Center for Educational Statistics. 2013 58 pp. (ED540156).
Posted by: 
Melvin Alonza Lowe, III, EdD
(Walden University) 
M.S. - Higher Education w/ Adult Education