Everett board hears dual‑credit expansion, postsecondary enrollment patterns; running start shows highest fall enrollment rate

Everett Public Schools staff presented an annual update March 25 on dual‑credit offerings, completion rates and postsecondary enrollment outcomes.

The presentation summarized three broad dual‑credit pathways used by district students: college coursework taught for high school credit (college‑in‑the‑high‑school), credit by examination such as Advanced Placement (AP), and articulated career‑technical education (CTE) agreements; district staff also reported on Running Start, where 11th‑ and 12th‑grade students take college courses on campus.

Why it matters: staff said dual credit can reduce postsecondary cost, ease transition to college and help students complete high‑school graduation pathways. The board heard data on participation, completion and postsecondary enrollment that district leaders use to assess equity and outreach needs.

Participation patterns and recent changes: presenters reported that, in recent years, more than half of dual‑credit participation has been in college‑in‑the‑high‑school courses (a period of growth cited at about 8 percentage points over five years), roughly one‑third in AP coursework, about one‑fifth in CTE dual credit and that Running Start participation rose in 2023–24. Staff noted the district’s second full year of tuition‑free college‑in‑the‑high‑school as a likely driver of increased access.

Completion and postsecondary follow‑up: staff reported the class of 2023’s overall postsecondary enrollment rate at 62%. When disaggregated by dual‑credit type, presenters said students who participated in AP enrolled in postsecondary study at 78%; college‑in‑the‑high‑school participants enrolled at 66%; CTE dual‑credit participants enrolled at 57%; and Running Start participants enrolled at 86%. Staff cautioned that self‑selection plays a role in those differences and that the figures are descriptive rather than causal.

Equity notes and outreach: presenters said participation varies by race and program: Asian students had higher participation rates; rates for Hispanic students and some other groups lagged district averages. The district reported growth in participation among students eligible for free‑and‑reduced‑price meals after tuition‑free college‑in‑the‑high‑school was implemented. Staff said they use College Board tools, PSAT‑based “AP Potential,” the Equal Opportunity Schools partnership and school‑level counseling to identify and recruit students into rigorous coursework.

Running Start details: staff said Running Start remains an option for 11th‑ and 12th‑grade students; students do not pay tuition but families may pay fees and textbooks. The district said students can start Running Start earlier in summer before 11th grade and that a growing number use Running Start pathways to earn substantial college credit.

Board questions focused on differences between year‑to‑year completion rates and how dual‑credit participation maps to postsecondary choices. Directors praised the foundation and school counseling efforts and noted the need to keep outreach and counseling strong where participation lags.

No formal board action was taken on the report.