Date of Award

2017

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Education

Abstract

This study examined the impact on students of taking at least one dual credit class in a rural Illinois community college district from 2006 through 2012. The dual credit courses were taught almost exclusively in the high school setting. The smallest of the high schools included had 12 th grade classes of under 20 students while the three largest schools each had over 200 students. The study utilized Propensity Score Matching (PSM), a process developed by Rosenbaum and Rubin (1984). PSM creates a quasi-experiment in which study subjects who received a treatment, in this case dual credit classes, are matched with study subjects who did not receive a treatment. The resulting data are examined for effect and causation. This study answered the call for additional research into dual credit, a rapid development in higher Education (Karp & Jeong, 2008; Karp, Calcagno, Hughes, Jeong, & Bailey, 2007; Bailey & Karp, 2003). Likewise, use of PSM addressed the need to individualize research, reduce bias, and compare students with similar characteristics (Baily & Karp, 2003; Karp & Jeong, 2008). The results were mixed. Dual credit appeared to be of assistance to students in achieving their goals at the community-college level, but the positive impact did not appear to carry over to the university level. Additionally, in examining the community college district, there were great disparities in the number of dual credit course offerings. This finding supported other studies that have raised concerns about the socio-economic impact of unequal offering of dual credit (An, 2013; Taylor, 2013; Taylor, 2015; Taylor & Lichtenberger, 2013). The recommendations called for a more deliberate approach to the implementation of dual credit with particular attention to a more precise understanding of the goals of the 2010 Dual Credit Quality Act. It was suggested that with careful consideration and implementation, dual credit is an effective tool in helping students succeed in higher Education.

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