Dual credit courses give high school students the potential to earn both high school and postsecondary credit.
Past research shows that students who participate in dual credit have higher rates of postsecondary education enrollment, persistence, and completion. There are six primary dual credit programs in Washington state that are included in this report, which provide students with different pathways to participate and different processes to become eligible for postsecondary credit. This report examines school-level characteristics associated with offering dual credit courses.
Key Findings:
- School-level dual credit access and participation rates are associated with various school-level characteristics including school demographics, type, resources, and college-related measures, though these relationships depend on dual credit type.
- Some disparities observed in school offerings are less prevalent in analyses of school-level participation among schools that offer dual credit.
- Relationships between many school characteristics and access and participation tend to be stronger across districts rather than within districts.
Suggested Citation:
Fumia, D., Dehlbom, L., & Wengrin, M. (2026). School-level Predictors of Dual Credit Opportunities. Washington Office of Financial Management, Forecasting and Research, Education Research and Data Center (ERDC). https://erdc.wa.gov/publications-and-reports/school-level-predictors-dual-credit-opportunities
Documentation:
