Community college outlines dual-enrollment growth and equity push for local high school students

Dr. Lawson, a presenter from the community college, told the North Wasco County SD 21 board that the district's partnership with the college offers two distinct dual-enrollment pathways: College Now, where high school faculty teach college-level classes for credit, and Expanded Options, in which students enroll directly at the college.

"We have two main programs. One is College Now. That program involves high school students enrolling in classes here or at the high school but getting college credit," Dr. Lawson said. He told the board 117 students took dual-enrollment courses in the prior year and that those students earned more than 10 credits on average, equating to a substantial early start toward an associate degree.

The nut of the presentation was the program's potential to save students time and money while encouraging postsecondary credential attainment. Dr. Lawson also emphasized that instructor eligibility matters: faculty who teach College Now typically need qualifying credentials, often a master's degree for transfer-area courses, although professional-technical courses have different requirements.

Board members probed program capacity and equity. Jose asked whether the handout mislabeling on the one-pager (an abbreviation error) affected the numbers; Dr. Lawson said the 117 figure was correct but that the abbreviation had not been updated. Another board member asked if the college caps the number of qualified instructors; Dr. Lawson said there is no numerical district cap but instructors must meet eligibility and work with college faculty to ensure course outcomes match college standards.

Dr. Lawson acknowledged areas for expansion, especially stronger articulation with career and technical education (CTE). "Only about 4 percent of students earning College Now credits are doing that in a CTE pathway," he said, and encouraged more outreach to highlight programs such as advanced manufacturing and aviation maintenance.

The presentation concluded with questions about supports to increase access; the college has recently hired a dual-enrollment coordinator and plans a bilingual recruiter to improve outreach into diverse communities. The board did not take action but expressed appreciation for the update and the college's work to improve equity and CTE pathways.

What's next: district and college staff said they will continue to refine course articulations, report enrollment and outcomes, and promote awareness in high schools to increase participation and equity.