By: Kristyn Hunt Cathey, Director of Communications

Goose Creek CISD was selected to participate in a national research study conducted by the Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Teachers College, Columbia University. The study examined effective dual enrollment partnerships between high schools and community colleges and also seeks to better understand the policies and practices of highly effective institutional partnerships in supporting dual enrollment success. The goal of this study is to document effective practices for other high school and community college leaders, as well as state policymakers. CCRC visited the district last week.

According to the Community College Research Center, nationally, 82% of public schools offer dual enrollment (DE) coursework, enrolling nearly two million high school students each year. The Community College Research Center (CCRC) partnered with state agencies in Florida and Texas to study efforts by community college and K-12 schools to increase college-going and success for Black, Latinx, low-income and other underserved students. Those two states, in particular, have large DE programs; together enrolling more than 250,000 high school students each year.

During the site visits at Goose Creek Memorial High School and Stuart Career Technical High School, CCRC team members met with and interviewed district and school leadership to learn how they have structured and funded dual enrollment opportunities that have resulted in more equitable student outcomes. Aside from interviewing high school dual enrollment teachers, counselors and dual enrollment coordinators, CCRC conducted student focus groups and collected documents used in communicating about, and organizing, dual enrollment programs.

CCRC is currently working with six sites in Texas that are effectively serving underrepresented students and also interested in serving as research partners.