Expanding Opportunities: Progress on the High School Dual Enrollment Pathway Pilot

The High School Dual Enrollment Pathway Pilot is advancing efforts to expand college access for high school students across the Sacramento region. Funded by the Sacramento K-16 Collaborative’s Dual Enrollment Workgroup, this initiative is designed to provide students—particularly those from underserved communities—the opportunity to earn college credit while completing their high school education.
 

About the Dual Enrollment Pathway Pilot

The project will award four grants of $95,000 each to high schools that commit to implementing or expanding dual enrollment pathways. This approach focuses on a small number of high-impact pilots that can be closely monitored, supported, and eventually scaled across the region. The goal is to move beyond small, one-time funding disbursements and instead invest in comprehensive programs that deliver long-term, sustainable change.
 

Flexible Funding to Support Innovative Solutions

Schools receiving the grant will have flexibility in how they use the funds to develop or expand dual enrollment programs. Allowable expenditures include:

• Staffing Support: Up to two years of a staff position dedicated to dual enrollment implementation. This individual will collaborate with Los Rios Community College District’s Director of Dual Enrollment to create sustainable, long-term programs.
• Teacher Certification: Support for Career Technical Education (CTE) certification or Master’s degree attainment for teaching staff.
• Facility Upgrades: Improvements to accommodate college-level courses on campus.
• Lab Equipment: Funding for specialized equipment required for pathway courses.
• Transportation: Assistance with student transportation to and from dual enrollment classes.
• Promotional Materials: Outreach materials to raise awareness and encourage student participation.
• Learning Management System: Implementation of Canvas LMS to facilitate course delivery.

A Focus on Equity and Access

The pilot prioritizes funding for schools serving the Collaborative’s targeted student populations, including:

• Low-income students
• Students of color
• First-generation students
• Rural students
• Adult learners

To ensure equitable distribution, each district is limited to one funded high school, with one school from each Community College District (CCD) and the remainder from Los Rios Community College District. Both comprehensive and charter schools are eligible, and the pathway does not have to focus on a specific career sector.
 

Key Project Goals and Outcomes

The High School Dual Enrollment Pathway Pilot is designed to:

• Increase Dual Enrollment: Boost participation among targeted student populations at the high school level.
• Develop Scalable Models: Create replicable frameworks for implementing dual enrollment, including processes for student support, system changes, and feedback mechanisms.
• Share Data: Provide detailed data to the Sacramento K16 Collaborative before, during, and after program implementation to inform future efforts.
• Support Regional Growth: Offer guidance and resources to other schools seeking to adopt dual enrollment pathways.
• Public Dissemination: All project outcomes will be hosted on the Collaborative’s website and shared electronically with education and community partners.

Next Steps: Grant Awards Coming Soon

The Request for Applications (RFA) closed winter of 2024. Selected schools will play a critical role in shaping the future of dual enrollment in the region by providing insights, data, and replicable models that can expand access to more students over time.

Congratulations to the schools awarded the implementation grant:

• WPUSD – Lincoln High School
• DJUSD – Da Vinci Charter Academy
• PUHSD – Placer High School
• SCOE – Court and Community Schools

Through this pilot, the Sacramento K16 Collaborative is making meaningful investments to bridge the gap between high school and college—ensuring that more students, especially those from historically underserved backgrounds, have the opportunity to pursue higher education and career pathways.