The Effects of Dual Enrollment Credit and Huskins Program Credit on College Readiness

This causal-comparative study researched the effects of dual enrollment and Huskins Bill course experience on traditional-age North Carolina community college students. The study examined dual enrollment and Huskins Bill course effects on academic success, retention and graduation rate using quantitative statistical measures including parametric and non-parametric means comparisons. The study found that dual enrollment and Huskins Bill courses showed a positive effect on GPA and graduation rate and that this effect is evident in technical, medical and college transfer programs. Dual enrollment and Huskins Bill courses also showed positive effects on GPA and graduation rates for non-white students and female students enrolled in all programs. Findings in this study support continuing and expanding dual enrollment offerings as one aid for college readiness. They also support promoting dual enrollment programs to help underserved student populations. Recommendations for further research include more examination of the effect dual enrollment has on four-year students and the significance of site as a factor in dual enrollment course success.