Conclusion

Dual enrollment and early college have grown over the past decade in ways that have been unpredictable. However, whether this growth will continue is an open question. Dual enrollment and early college can continue to grow at the present rate and become more the norm than the exception in American education; it might also plateau as the market for programs becomes saturated; there is also the possibility of a decline, as other innovations, such as high-dose tutoring and AI eclipse their competitors; finally, external political constraints may reshape the population eligible to take dual enrollment classes. Which direction the field will take is in the hands of its leadership – particularly district and higher education leaders.