Paths to Tomorrow's Workforce

Career and Technical Education is among the most important frontiers for dual enrollment and early college programs. These programs offer students academic rigor, applied learning and often extensive internship experiences. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics classes are among the most challenging for early college and dual enrollment programs to offer successfully. Difficulties with specialized staffing, equipment and laboratory schedules all make these courses harder to offer than humanities and social science offerings. To be successful, students in early college and dual enrollment need support inside and outside the classroom to be successful. Students and teachers both report that peer and instructor tutoring and support can help participants build the habits they will need to be successful as full-time undergraduate students. Researchers have found that STEM early college students have a U-shaped curve of satisfaction with the program, with enthusiasm early on, but dipping when coursework becomes more intense, and a final rise of confidence in the years after graduation.