Concurrent Enrollment Programs

Publication Date: December 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Education

Type:

Abstract:

Initiated in part as a proposal to reform U.S. high schools, concurrent enrollment programs enable high school aged students to take college level course work and receive college credit often while enrolled in high school. The number of institutions supporting these programs and the number of students participating in them have grown over the last decade. Concurrent enrollment programs can be best described as a secondary/postsecondary school hybrid. This unique status presents federal funding and compliance issues. This report provides a brief history of these programs and a description of the different types of programs, including participation data. It also includes a discussion of selected federal issues. This report will be updated as warranted by major legislative or other relevant developments.