Dual High School/College Credit

Students at EVERY Minnesota public high school are eligible to participate in Dual Credit programs. These programs allow qualifying students to earn college credit while still in high school at little or no cost.

Dual Credit programs are a great way for high school students to challenge themselves academically, earn college credit, and save time and money. Some of the programs, especially PSEO, not only save families, but also save taxpayers, millions of dollars. Information below includes reports and student produced you-tube videos in several languages that explain the value of various forms of dual credit programs in Minnesota. Eligible high school students can choose to participate in the following dual credit programs: Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), Concurrent Enrollment (CE), Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB).

Some of these programs, especially Post Secondary Enrollment Options, save not only families and students, but also taxpayers, millions of dollars/year. This 2020 study was carried out by a former Minnesota Senate Education staff member. It found that PSEO saved Minnesota taxpayers about $15 million/year. PSEO saves Minnesota families about $59.8 million/year. Below is the study’s one page executive summary.

In addition to the material below, The Center for School Change has published a number of reports about Dual Credit. These include:

PSEO is a statewide program. Most high schools offer one or more of the Concurrent Enrollment (also known as College in the Schools if done in collaboration with the University of Minnesota), AP, IB and Project Lead the Way courses. The College Board also operates the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Students may pay a fee, take one or more of 34 different examinations, and earn credit at some colleges and universities if their score is high enough.

At the request of the Minnesota Legislature, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education studied and has shared dual credit acceptance policies at each Minnesota public and private college and university. This research helps students and their families understand what grades and/or test scores students must achieve in dual credit classes in order to have the courses accepted for college credit.

Research by the Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota College and University System (now called Mn State) shows dramatic differences among students from several major racial and economic groups of students, between the overall group and members of the group who participated in at least one PSEO and/or College in the Schools or Concurrent Enrollment course in high school. Posted below are two charts prepared by the Minnesota Department of Education The first shows differences in high school graduation rates

The chart below, prepared in 2021 by the Minnesota Department of Education, shows similar data for Minnesota high school students graduating after four years, in 2019. Students who participated in Concurrent Enrollment/College in the Schools or PSEO graduated from high school at much higher rates than those who did not. Most of the high school graduation gap was closed among PSEO/College in the Schools participaed

The following chart, prepared by the Minnesota Department of Education, shows the percentage of Minnesota High School students who graduated in 2016, and went on to earn some form of post secondary certificate or degree. Again, participants in PSEO or College in the Schools/Concurrent Enrollment were much more likely to attained a post secondary certificate/degree than students who did not participate.

This leads to a critical question: Does participation in dual credit really have an impact on low income and potentially first generation college student graduation rates in high school and college? The answer, from studies all over the United States, is strongly, “YES!” Please see especially first two research studies from University of Iowa and Teacher’s College, Columbia University.

Here’s a Dual Credit Comparison Chart.

People for PSEO is a high school/college student/adult led group that helps share information about PSEO and other forms of dual credit. The group also has successfully advocated at the Minnesota State Legislature for improvements in PSEO and other dual credit laws.

In a January 2020 meeting with Minnesota Commissioner of Education Mary Cathryn Ricker, People for PSEO vice president Brook LaFloe and executive director Zeke Jackson joined CSC director Joe Nathan to share research about Minnesota District and Charter Public School information sharing about PSEO. The Minnesota legislature requires that school districts provide “up to date” information to 8th-11th grade students and their families by March 1, or three weeks before students register for the following year. CSC research showed that not one of the 95 stratified random sample of districts and charters were providing all of the legislative mandated information.

After reviewing this research, Commissioner Ricker agreed to revise MDE guidance to educators about PSEO and request that they update materials given to students and families. Thanks to Commissioner Ricker, and thanks to People for PSEO.

Information below (created by Aaliyah Hodges) from Mn Dept of Education Rigorous Course taking Reports), shows participation Minnesota participation trends in various forms of dual credit programs.