Lansing, MI - A report released today by the Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) identifies several ways lawmakers can make statutory changes likely to result in better access to affordable college courses and improved high school and college completion rates.
The data shows that Michigan’s dual enrollment rate at community colleges lags the national average. Nationally, dual enrollment accounts for nearly one in five community college students, with Michigan’s rate at 14 percent.
“Dual enrollment is truly a win-win from a student’s perspective,” said Brandy Johnson, president of the Michigan Community College Association. “Beginning early makes for a more affordable college journey, often with better outcomes, and we need to ensure this advantage is available to more students. Growing dual enrollment is essential for achieving Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal.”
Earlier this year, the Michigan Community College Association, with support from Lansing-based public policy research firm, Public Policy Associates, convened a workgroup to identify barriers to dual enrollment participation. The workgroup then proposed policy solutions to boost the number of Michigan students taking advantage of this benefit. The report demonstrated multiple benefits of dual enrollment: stronger high school grades and completion rates, reduced costs for students, and momentum toward completion of a degree, transfer to a university, or technical certification. Additionally, data demonstrates that more than 77 percent of dual enrollment students enrolled at a postsecondary institution within a year of graduating from high school, compared to 56 percent for other students.
“Michigan leads the nation on many community college metrics, including having a top ten transfer rate,” said State Rep. Carol Glanville, D-Walker, who served on MCCA’s dual enrollment workgroup. “Realizing our dual enrollment rate is behind the national average shows a great opportunity for improvement. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make progress that positively impacts dual enrollment opportunities for future students.”
Currently, school districts cover the cost of tuition for dual enrollment courses from their state-funded per pupil foundation allowance. To make dual enrollment more feasible, the report recommends removing tuition costs from the foundation allowance and identifying an alternative revenue source, such as a stand-alone appropriation or state scholarship fund.
“As we lean into making dual enrollment opportunities more accessible for all students, it’s imperative that we examine the funding mechanism from an equity perspective,” said Greg Handel, vice president, Education and Talent, with the Detroit Regional Chamber. “The work underway as part of the Detroit Drives Degrees Community College Collaborative will be made stronger by elevating these conversations and meeting the needs of the future workforce, which depends on adjustments and innovation.”
The report also found gaps in equitable access to dual enrollment, with Black and Hispanic/Latinx students, as well as students with disabilities and English learners, being underrepresented. The report recommends using high school grades and educator nominations instead of solely relying on standardized tests for eligibility to improve equity.
“Dual enrollment is one way we can provide students multiple pathways toward college and career while still in high school,” said Venessa Keesler, president and CEO of Launch Michigan. “It's critical that K-12 and higher ed align to ensure dual enrollment opportunities remain within reach for all students regardless of economic background, race, or disability status."
Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of the Michigan College Access Network, added: "The MCCA report identified straightforward policy changes to eliminating student barriers and growing equitable access to dual enrollment opportunities. Dual enrollment saves students time and money and proves that college is for everyone. Michigan should be a leader in expanding those opportunities to more low-income students, students of color, and first-generation college-going students."
Other proposed solutions MCCA has identified through the workgroup:
For more on the data and policy solutions presented in the report, click here.
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ABOUT THE MICHIGAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE ASSOCIATION
The Michigan Community College Association is the unified voice and leading advocate for Michigan’s community colleges, empowering members to lead in the areas of student success, talent development, and community vitality. MCCA also strengthens public awareness and recognition of the role of community colleges, supports members in delivering education and training that is responsive to changing labor market needs, champions the strategies necessary to achieve equitable student success, and fosters collaboration, connection, and partnerships among community colleges and stakeholders. Learn more at http://mcca.org.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Since this report was finalized, the most recent data was released showing 15 percent of Michigan community college students were also enrolled in high school, compared to 25 percent of Ohio community college undergraduates, 34 percent of Wisconsin community college undergraduates, 52 percent of Indiana community college undergraduates and 21 percent for the national average: How Many Students Are Taking Dual Enrollment Courses In High School? New National, State, and College-Level Data.