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A Research Partnership with the American Institutes for Research

Beginning in the Fall of 2017, Dr. David Knight, Associate Director of the Center for Education Research and Policy Studies, began partnering with researchers at the American Institutes for Research, who are leading a study of the costs and benefits of dual credit education in Region 19 and across Texas.

Dual credit education is coursework offered to high school students that provides credit toward both a high school diploma and a higher education degree. In many cases, school districts cover the tuition costs for students, or community colleges provide tuition waivers, allowing students to earn college credits in high school without requiring student loans. While dual credit has existed for many years, Texas has experienced significant growth in the number of dual credits granted across the state. Since 2000, the state has experienced a 650 percent increase in the number of students enrolling in dual credit courses. Region 19 has been a leader in dual credit growth, with the El Paso Community College District among the top five Texas institutions of higher education in the number of dual credit semester credit hours granted per year.

Little research exists on either the costs or benefits of dual credit. The purpose of this research project is to provide guidance for local stakeholders and state policymakers on: (a) the effectiveness of students; (b) whether the benefits exceed the total cost; (c) how dual credit policy can be reformed to improve effectiveness or reduce cost; and (d) how educators can better support dual credit students. This guidance will help Texas and Region 19 in reaching the goal to have 60 percent of the adult population age 25 to 34 hold a certificate or degree by the year 2030 (the state’s 60x30 strategic plan for higher education).

Draft results of this research project are scheduled for release in July of 2018. The final report is tentatively scheduled for release in December of 2018. Check back on this webpage for forthcoming research reports. Read more about the project on the Texas High Education Coordinating Board website (, , ).

The project is funded by the Texas Higher Education Foundation, with support from Educate Texas, a public-private initiative of Communities Foundation of Texas, Greater Texas Foundation, Houston Endowment, and the Meadows Foundation.

Update:

A has been released for public comment. Below is the timeline for the final draft report and window for public comment.

• August, 2017: : Dual Credit Education in Texas
• July 26, 2018:  for Public Comment
• July 26 - August 27, 2018: Public Comment Period 
• August 3, 2018:  
• September TBD: AIR / THECB Webinar - This webinar will share feedback on Phase II and will engage attendees in a discussion about policy recommendations stemming from Phase II
• October 25, 2018: AIR submits final report to THECB for approval
• December, 2018, 2018: AIR releases final report 

Public Comment for Draft Final Report (July 26 - August 27, 2018)
The  report has been issued for public comment. Please send comments to djones@air.org by August 27, 2018. If you have questions about the study, please send them to Dr. Trey Miller, Principal Researcher at AIR, at tmiller@air.org

AIR / THECB Webinar (August 3, 2018)
 -- This webinar will: (1) disseminate findings from Phase II, (2) gather feedback, (3) explain the process of providing formal feedback through public comment, and (3) share how AIR will use feedback to inform policy recommendations.

Note. Links are as follows:

Overview of dual credit:

RAND / AIR draft:

Cost study: