From High School to Workforce: Dual Enrollment Case Studies

Abstract

Dual enrollment programs are important mechanisms for talent development and meeting workforce needs through partnerships and alignment between education and the workforce. By allowing high school students to earn college credit--particularly in career-aligned fields--these programs support smoother transitions into postsecondary education and employment. Research consistently shows that dual enrollment improves rates of high school graduation, college enrollment and completion, and college credit accumulation. In this brief, Jobs for the Future (JFF) highlights three case studies of innovative programs that illustrate how dual enrollment can be used as a strategy to meet workforce goals.