Local students are seeing a big impact from dual credit classes taken at Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College, and Wabash Valley College. Dual credit classes allow high school students to take college-level classes and earn college credit while still in high school.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges put together a report reviewing the last six academic years of dual credit students at each high school within the District. The report provides an overview of student demographics, enrollment, and course information.
Edwards County
Edwards County High School saw 217 students participate in dual credit classes. Students saved $340,961.33 in college expenses with an average savings per student of $1,571.25 per student. The average amount of credit per student was 11.53. Of the students taking dual credit classes, 41 percent were first-generation college students.
Grayville
Grayville High School saw 81 students participate in dual credit classes. Students saved $196,860.52 in college expenses with an average savings per student of $2,430.38 per student. The average amount of credit per student was 17.83. Of the students taking dual credit classes, 26 percent were first-generation college students.
Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville High School saw 142 students participate in dual credit classes. Students saved $177,910.65 in college expenses with an average savings per student of $1,252.89 per student. The average amount of credit per student was 9.19. Of the students taking dual credit classes, 24 percent were first-generation college students.
Mt. Carmel
Mt. Carmel High School saw 580 students participate in dual credit classes. Students saved $1,129,903.04 in college expenses with an average savings per student of $1,948.11 per student. The average amount of credit per student was 14.29. Of the students taking dual credit classes, 27 percent were first-generation college students.
Lincoln Trail College President and Vice Chancellor of Institutional Outreach Tona Ambrose says dual credit students see other benefits from taking college-level classes besides cost savings. Students are exposed to college-level work and academic rigor and dual credit puts students on an accelerated path to degree or certificate completion.
“Taking dual credit classes can provide a strong foundation for future success in higher education and beyond, making them a valuable option for motivated students. These dual credit experiences can also improve college and career readiness, increase a student’s confidence in their academic abilities, and allow students an opportunity to explore various career fields that will help them make more informed decisions about their future academic and career paths.”
Dual credit classes are available to students planning to pursue an associate degree and transfer to a four-year university or students planning on pursuing a degree or certification in career and technical education. Students intending to complete an associate degree and transfer to a four-year university can take advantage of IECC’s Three-to-Your Degree program, which can shorten the time to degree completion. Some CTE programs at IECC allow students to get a head start in their programs or complete a certificate program while still in high school.
IECC Director of Dual Credit Erin Volk says that dual credit classes can be very advantageous to first-generation college students. “Taking dual credit classes can give students, especially first-generation students, a stronger support system and the guidance necessary to determine whether college is the right choice for them.”
Students should begin thinking about dual credit classes as they begin planning for their junior year of high school. Black and Volk say that students should start by talking with their school counselor to discuss course planning and the selection of courses. Students wanting to enroll in a dual credit or dual enrollment course can speak with an advisor at any of the four colleges in IECC. Advisors can help guide students on course selection to lead to an academic program of study.
Ambrose says overall, dual credit offers lots of benefits to families. “Through our Three-to-Your Degree program, students and their families can easily navigate and understand the list of general education college course offerings that are intentionally mapped out and to be taken during a student’s junior and senior year in high school, combined with one more year at an IECC school after graduation, which culminates into an associate's degree or certificate. Again, this allows for significant savings and a seamless academic process. Additionally, our IECC dual credit programs create a strong relationship between our high schools and our IECC schools, leading to a smoother post-secondary transition.”
