College Credit in High School

College in high school programs — programs that allow students to earn college credit through taking college courses offered in partnership between institutions of higher education and high schools — introduce postsecondary options to students early. When students have access to college courses in high school, they are more likely to persist in college and earn a degree. Yet too few students have access to these programs, particularly students of color — especially Black, Latinx, and Native American students, and those from low-income backgrounds. 

Our Equity-Centered Approach

We work alongside our partners from the New York Equity Coalition to champion policies that provide equitable access to college credit in high school. We advocate at the state and district level to ensure programs center equity and are accountable to both student performance and postsecondary success. That starts with removing barriers to access for students of color and from low-income backgrounds while increasing data transparency about the access to and outcomes of college credit in high school programs — also known as early college and dual enrollment programs.

Latest Resource

Report: The Promise of Early College Pathways in New York State

Data from the New York Alliance for Early College Pathways (NY4ECP) underscores the significant impact of early college programs in boosting college enrollment, persistence, and graduation rates for New York’s most marginalized students. With only 32% of high school graduates from underrepresented backgrounds completing high school on time, NY4ECP’s findings demonstrate how early college pathways are bridging the equity gap, preparing students for both higher education and meaningful careers. For students of color and and those from low-income backgrounds, early college pathways offer an invaluable opportunity. These programs not only ease financial barriers to college but also foster a smoother transition to postsecondary education, raising the odds of success.

Data Snapshot

Only

%

of young people in New York City report having access to dual enrollment courses.

In New York

%

of students from low-income backgrounds who took early college courses in high school graduated college in four years, compared to only 23% of their peers.

More Resources