The last several years have seen a strong push to expand dual credit programs, arrangements that allow students to earn college credit while still in high school.

Earning college credit while in high school is nothing new, of course. Many technical colleges have long maintained a large number of advanced standing agreements. Advanced standing credits can be earned upon enrollment in a technical college if students successfully complete courses that are deemed to be similar to technical college courses.

The recent focus, however, has been on dual credit - also known as concurrent enrollment. Under these agreements, high school students earn high school and technical college credit for the same course simultaneously. The material taught is actual technical college curriculum, and the instructor is either a technical college faculty member or a high school instructor with WTCS certification. Course credits are transcripted; in other words, they appear on both the students' high school and technical college transcripts upon successful completion of a  course. 

Wisconsin's Youth Options program is one example of a dual enrollment program. It allows high school juniors and seniors to take technical college courses under some circumstances. 

Many districts also have locally negotiated transcripted credit agreements that permit technical college courses to be taught at area high schools. Each of these agreements essentially operates as a mini dual enrollment program. 

Some policy makers, students and parents see dual credit as a quicker, less costly path to a college degree. In fact, Senator Herb Kohl recently introduced the Fast Track to College Act, which would establish a competitive grant program to fund development of dual enrollment programs. Proponents argue that satisfying college credits while in high school means less time and tuition is needed to complete program requirements. 

Some faculty see dual credit as a way to boost enrollments by creating an on-ramp to their programs. They argue high school students have a vested interest in continuing their technical college education because they have already earned college credits.  

Still others feel that dual enrollment is a way to re-make the senior year of high school, which some believe is largely wasted. They believe dual enrollment is both a way to introduce more rigor into the high school curriculum and a way to improve student engagement of both high- and low-achieving students through relevant career and technical education. To read more, click here.

Dual enrollment is not without its critics, however. Some believe the college curriculum is watered down and the pacing of a college course is compromised to accommodate high school students. 

Others worry that the effect of the "speed up" on students has not been studied sufficiently. 

What do you think?

What have your experiences been with Youth Options students?

What about the preparedness level of students who earned transcripted credits for a course while in high school? Is it on par with students who take the same course while at the technical college?