Update: I've studied the methodology. The report uses a cut-off of 18 years of age when defining first-time college students, so current first-year college students who'd taken dual enrollment courses in high school are included in the count of first-year college students. Higher Ed Dive was not clear about this.
Note: Current high school students who are taking dual enrollment courses are included in the total enrollment figures for community colleges, so they're part of the increase in associate's degree students. (I guess listed as either Public 2-year or Public PAB... Primarily Associates Degree Granting Baccalaureate institutions)
What I'd written earlier:
"Higher Ed Dive reported that high school students in dual enrollment courses are not included in the first-year numbers. Dual enrollment high school students are counted in the same group as those who've done some college but returned later. Is the problem in their reporting or in the Clearinghouse classifications?
I think the general public and colleges consider high school students who took dual enrollment courses to be first-year students. They're not considered transfer students when they apply to college.
I haven't read the report methodology yet to clarify; I'll do that when I get to my laptop later."
Margie, you are the BEST! Thank you so much for taking the time to dig in here, as well as share these insights. Totally makes sense how dual enrollment could be the cause of a total UG increase, while freshman are declining.
Update: I've studied the methodology. The report uses a cut-off of 18 years of age when defining first-time college students, so current first-year college students who'd taken dual enrollment courses in high school are included in the count of first-year college students. Higher Ed Dive was not clear about this.
Note: Current high school students who are taking dual enrollment courses are included in the total enrollment figures for community colleges, so they're part of the increase in associate's degree students. (I guess listed as either Public 2-year or Public PAB... Primarily Associates Degree Granting Baccalaureate institutions)
What I'd written earlier:
"Higher Ed Dive reported that high school students in dual enrollment courses are not included in the first-year numbers. Dual enrollment high school students are counted in the same group as those who've done some college but returned later. Is the problem in their reporting or in the Clearinghouse classifications?
https://www.highereddive.com/news/undergraduate-enrollment-rises-3-percent-despite-drop-in-first-year-students/730629/
I think the general public and colleges consider high school students who took dual enrollment courses to be first-year students. They're not considered transfer students when they apply to college.
I haven't read the report methodology yet to clarify; I'll do that when I get to my laptop later."
Margie, you are the BEST! Thank you so much for taking the time to dig in here, as well as share these insights. Totally makes sense how dual enrollment could be the cause of a total UG increase, while freshman are declining.
After studying the report methodology I added an update into my original comment.