Postsecondary Outcomes of the Concurrent Enrollment Policy in Colorado

• In Event: Examining College Student Success Policies

Abstract

Using a two-stage, matched design to follow students who graduated from Colorado high schools between 2009-2010 and 2015-2016, this study evaluates concurrent enrollment, which offers college-level courses during high school. Outcomes show substantial positive impacts of concurrent enrollment on rates of college enrollment (OR = 3.12), persistence (OR = 1.30), and degree attainment (OR = 2.11). Subgroup analyses reveal no effects by income or minority status, but significant, negative interaction effects for achievement. That is, concurrent enrollment was shown to have stronger effects for helping students with average to slightly below average achievement matriculate, but the treatment helped all students equally to persist and earn a credential, which has implications for how students in higher education are served.

Authors

• Pamela R. Buckley, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Kristin Klopfenstein, The University of Texas - Dallas

• Phillip Pendergast, University of Colorado - Boulder