Evaluating Dual Enrollment Programs

These resources will help you think about how to evaluate your dual enrollment progam. 

Be sure to check out Data & Standards information on this website... Data on both sides is critical to effective program evaluation. 

Program Evaluation

• A Guide to Launching and Expanding Dual Enrollment Programs for Historically Underserved Students in California by Rogéair Purnell, Ph.D.  See Section V: Indicators and Measures of Student Success & Program Effectiveness which answers the question "What are common indicators of success and how can they be monitored?" considering student-level outcomes,  program-level outcomes, and  institutional-level outcomes. 

• NACEP Evaluation Toolkit: Provides guidelines for evaluation that provides you with useful knowledge about your program and that aligns with the NACEP guidelines.  Provides an evaluation framework for program evaluation. 

  • NACEP Evaluation Guide: Provides the guidelines in place for NACEP dual enrollment accreditation. Even if you are not seeking accreditation, it will provide context for a robust evaluation. 

  • NACEP Evaluation Resources: Provides resources to support program evaluation resources aligned to an organizational structure you may want to think about when starting an evaluation process. 

• The Dual Enrollment Playbook: A Guide to Equitable Acceleration for Students  (2020)  The Aspen Institute and Community College Research Center. Defines five strategies which support the strategies and practices of equitable dual enrollment partnerships. These can be used to consider key areas for program evaluation. 

• Dual Enrollment Program Evaluation Component - 50-State Comparison: Overview of state policies around requirements for dual enrollment programs to undergo internal or external evaluation 

• Tool for Assessing Equitable Practices at Community College  (October 2020) by the Community College Research Center (CCRC)

• As part of  the report Jumpstart: Setting Goals to Drive Equitable Dual Enrollment Participation in California’s Community Colleges, a data tool is provided to visually represents the levels of racial equity in dual enrollment across CA’s high school and community college districts. This is a great tool for local education leaders to evaluate the level of racial representation in their dual enrollment programs.   The report analyzes data from the community colleges across the state to see if we’re equitably serving Black, Native, and Latinx students through dual enrollment  and finds that we are not yet doing so. They outline a policy and practice agenda that K-12 and community college leaders can implement to jumpstart efforts for more equitable dual enrollment practices.

  • The accompanying data tool visually represents the levels of racial equity in dual enrollment across CA’s high school and community college districts. This is a great tool for local education leaders to evaluate the level of racial representation in their dual enrollment programs.  

Assessment of Student Outcomes

• A Review of Empirical Studies on Dual Enrollment: Assessing Educational Outcomes (An & Taylor) This research focus on how dual enrollment student outcomes are measured in research. 

• Where Are They Now? A Study of Dual Enrollment Students in the Kern Community College District (November 2022) CLP and Kern Community College District has presented a study about how dual enrollment affects post-high school outcomes. This district grew their dual enrollment program from 1,000 students to over 12,000. And students are succeeding—dual enrollment retention and success rates are upwards of 90% and 80%. 

• Dual Enrollment Survey of Student Engagement (DESSE) Survey created to help colleges evaluate programs that serve their dually enrolled student population. Also, provides the DESSE Data Narrative Tool, designed to be used in small groups, followed by a facilitated discussion with a larger group.