Targeting Historically Underserved Populations for Concurrent Enrollment in Colorado

Abstract

The state of Colorado passed the Concurrent Enrollment Programs Act (2009) with the intention of expanding higher education to individuals from historically underserved populations by implementing access to college courses for students still attending high school. Participation in Concurrent Enrollment increases the likelihood of students attending and graduating from college. This study utilized a qualitative, multiple case study design to examine if and how Concurrent Enrollment coordinators in local education providers in Colorado target students from historically underserved populations for participation in Concurrent Enrollment. This study also sought to understand the perceptions of Concurrent Enrollment coordinators in community colleges on if and how students are targeted for participation in Concurrent Enrollment programs. Additionally, this study sought to gain insight into how key players in Concurrent Enrollment perceive the intentions of the statute, specifically access to Concurrent Enrollment for students from historically underserved in higher education. The themes that emerged from this study are: defining “historically underserved”, perceived benefits of Concurrent Enrollment, identifying students for Concurrent Enrollment, barriers to participation for historically underserved populations, ensuring access to and participation in Concurrent Enrollment, unequal access to other college credit bearing programs, and changes to Concurrent Enrollment due to COVID-19.