
Florida College Access Network (FCAN) released a report examining dual enrollment participation and outcomes in Florida.
According to the report, students from diverse backgrounds are equally represented in accessing at least one college-level course during high school. However, the report also suggests there are significant disparities for students accessing more than four of these advanced courses, particularly among Black and Hispanic students, limiting the likelihood of these groups to continue their pursuit of education after high school.
The report highlights dual enrollment as a proven pathway to postsecondary enrollment and student success while emphasizing the need for targeted efforts to address gaps in greater course participation.
“Dual enrollment is a powerful tool for preparing students for success after high school, and while Florida is leading in providing general access to at least one dual enrollment course, these findings make it clear there’s still more work to be done to ensure all students have access to a higher number of these college-level courses,” said Braulio Colón, executive director for the Florida College Access Network.
The report’s central finding reveals a significant underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic students among those taking five or more dual enrollment courses, with Black students showing the largest gap in participation.
“These data suggest an opportunity to explore intentional strategies to expand access,” said Colón.
For example, the report highlights how addressing underrepresentation can unlock the demonstrated potential of dual enrollment to improve postsecondary outcomes for Black students.
“Our findings show that despite general underrepresentation in concentrated dual enrollment, Black students completing five or more dual enrollment courses see the greatest increase in the pursuit of an education beyond high school,” said Dave Sobush, FCAN’s Research & Policy Director. “The underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic students in these higher course concentrations signals an opportunity to progress toward Florida’s attainment goals.”
Other key findings include:
- Participation Fair at Low Levels of Dual Enrollment: Students taking at least one dual enrollment course closely reflect the demographic makeup of Florida high school graduates from 2018-19 to 2021-22.
- Disparities Emerge at Higher Levels: Among students completing five or more dual enrollment courses, White and Asian students are overrepresented, while Black and Hispanic students show lower participation rates. These differences suggest potential barriers to equitable access to advanced coursework and college readiness.
- Higher Course Completion Correlates with Postsecondary Enrollment: Students who take five or more dual enrollment courses are more likely to enroll in postsecondary pathways —including the State University System (SUS), Florida College System (FCS), or Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs—compared to those who take 1-4 courses.
- Gaps Persist in Access to Postsecondary Education: While many dual-enrolled students transition to postsecondary education, nearly 48% do not enroll in a trackable pathway within a year of graduation. This finding highlights the importance of improving longitudinal data systems and interstate data sharing to better understand educational needs and workforce outcomes.
To learn about opportunities to strengthen access to dual enrollment, download FCAN’s previous report, The Case for Dual Enrollment: Access, Benefits, and Opportunities.