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Boards report record dual‑enrollment participation but flag access and funding barriers
Summary
A joint BESE–Regents report showed more than 43,000 dual‑enrollment participants in 2024–25 and rising credential attainment, while staff identified cost, administrative paperwork and remaining gaps (about 25% of students) as barriers to wider access.
The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and the Board of Regents received a report showing record dual‑enrollment participation and credential attainment, and discussed steps to reduce administrative and financial barriers.
Milan Baker, a presenter on the joint update, said the state reported more than 43,000 dual‑enrollment participants in 2024–25, a 63% increase since 2018–19, and more than 2,000 postsecondary credentials earned in 2024–25 — a 30% rise over previous reporting years. "Starting my dual enrollment course gave me the confidence, direction, and a head start on the career I’ve always dreamed of," Baker read from a student quote included in the report.
Staff briefers told the boards that outcomes have remained strong even as participation has grown: for the class of 2025, 76% of public high‑school graduates earned early college credit, industry credentials or both. They said more than 80% of the credentials earned in 2024–25 aligned with state‑identified high‑demand workforce fields.
The presenters framed next steps around Act 438. They said postsecondary management boards are working to establish a standard tuition rate for dual enrollment and staff are expanding a single, standard application that was piloted at three institutions to cut counselor paperwork and reduce family burden. Officials said these changes are intended to make dual enrollment easier to access and more affordable; staff plan to return with a fuller update in December.
Board members pressed staff on remaining gaps — about 25% of students not participating — and on local costs. One board member flagged that some institutions assess additional adjunct or administrative fees on top of tuition, increasing out‑of‑pocket costs for districts. Staff acknowledged the issue and said the tuition standard and single application should reduce friction but noted local funding choices and technology access still pose barriers for some families and districts.
Staff also said rural participation has increased in recent years and emphasized ongoing pilot work to reduce administrative burden. The dual‑enrollment task force will continue convening; the next meeting was noted for June 30 at LSUE.
The boards received the report and had the staff return with implementation details and funding updates at a later meeting.
