College Credit in High School
College in high school programs — programs that allow students to earn college credit through taking college courses offered in partnership between institutions of higher education and high schools — introduce postsecondary options to students early. When students have access to college courses in high school, they are more likely to persist in college and earn a degree. Yet too few students have access to these programs, particularly students of color — especially Black, Latinx, and Native American students, and those from low-income backgrounds.

Our Equity-Centered Approach
We work alongside our partners from the New York Equity Coalition to champion policies that provide equitable access to college credit in high school. We advocate at the state and district level to ensure programs center equity and are accountable to both student performance and postsecondary success. That starts with removing barriers to access for students of color and from low-income backgrounds while increasing data transparency about the access to and outcomes of college credit in high school programs — also known as early college and dual enrollment programs.
Latest Resource
Report: The Promise of Early College Pathways in New York State
Data from the New York Alliance for Early College Pathways (NY4ECP) underscores the significant impact of early college programs in boosting college enrollment, persistence, and graduation rates for New York’s most marginalized students. With only 32% of high school graduates from underrepresented backgrounds completing high school on time, NY4ECP’s findings demonstrate how early college pathways are bridging the equity gap, preparing students for both higher education and meaningful careers. For students of color and and those from low-income backgrounds, early college pathways offer an invaluable opportunity. These programs not only ease financial barriers to college but also foster a smoother transition to postsecondary education, raising the odds of success. This report features data from EdTrust-New York’s To and Through data tool, which highlights the most important measure of college readiness: whether high school graduates who enroll in college actually persist and ultimately earn a college degree or certificate.
Data Snapshot
Only
%
of young people in New York City report having access to dual enrollment courses.
In New York
%
of students from low-income backgrounds who took early college courses in high school graduated college in four years, compared to only 23% of their peers.
More Resources
EdTrust-New York Responds to One House Budget Bills with Support and a Call for Increased Investment in Education Equity
EdTrust-New York believes the state has not invested enough in an equitable, student-centered education system, despite some positive developments in the recently released One House Budget Bill.
EdTrust-New York: New NAEP Data Reveals Crisis in New York Schools with Persistent Gaps for Black and Latinx Students
Except for fourth grade math, New York’s NAEP scores in reading and math have stagnated or declined over the past 25 years. These results make it clear that current approaches, especially in middle grades, are failing students. We cannot continue with the same strategies and expect different outcomes.
EdTrust-New York Responds to NY Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2025 State of the State Address
EdTrust-New York calls for stronger commitments to educational equity and looks forward to collaborating with the Governor and Legislature to ensure the inclusion of the following proposals in the final 2025 State Budget.
EdTrust-New York statement on FY 2025 state budget
The Enacted Budget marks a crucial milestone with New York’s first investment in literacy instruction aligned to the science of reading, alongside the introduction of a Universal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion policy. These measures, aimed at fostering student success and accessibility, reflect a commitment to addressing historic disparities in education.
EdTrust-New York Statement on NY Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2024 State of the State Address
Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State proposal includes several important proposals that will advance educational equity for New York children, students, and their families.
Testimony: 2023 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing — Elementary and Secondary Education
As the budget season progresses, we presented before the New York State Senate and Assembly 2023 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing regarding elementary and secondary education priorities.