Dual Credit in Charter Schools and Students’ Postsecondary Success in Texas

• In Event: Pathways to Success: Charter School Structures, Curricula, and Student Outcomes

Abstract

This study examines the benefits of transitioning from public middle schools to charter high schools, with a focus on the role of dual credit programs. We follow 12 years of educational trajectories of three cohorts of middle school graduates between the school years 2008/09 and 2010/11 in Texas. We find that students who transitioned to charter schools earned a significantly greater number of Dual Credits, improved standardized exams, and were more likely to enroll in four-year colleges and obtain degrees on time than their peers who went to traditional public high schools. These positive outcomes were mainly observed in charter students enrolled in Dual Credit courses, suggesting its’ availability in public schools may be key in fostering students’ educational success.

Authors

• Han Bum Lee, University of Texas - San Antonio

• Sharon L. Nichols, University of Texas - San Antonio