Concurrent Enrollment

Overview

In May 2009, the Colorado State Legislature passed House Bill 09-1319 and Senate Bill 09-285, the Concurrent Enrollment Programs Act. The act created the concurrent enrollment program, defined as the simultaneous enrollment of a qualified student in a local education provider and in one or more postsecondary courses, including academic or career and technical education courses, which may include course work related to apprenticeship programs or internship programs, at an institution of higher education. The collective intent is to broaden access to and improve the quality of concurrent enrollment programs, improve coordination between institutions of secondary education and institutions of higher education and ensure financial transparency and accountability. Beyond coordinating and clarifying the existing concurrent enrollment programs, the bills also created the “5th year” ASCENT program for students to continue participating in concurrent enrollment for one year following their 12th grade year.

For questions about Concurrent Enrollment or ASCENT, please contact Mary Anne Hunter at 303-866-6596 or Hunter_Mary@cde.state.co.us

Annual Report on Concurrent Enrollment for 2015-16

In collaboration with the Department of Higher Education, CDE released the 2015-16 Concurrent Enrollment Annual Report in April, 2017 with new data highlighting the enrollment and outcomes of Concurrent Enrollment students in the 2015-2016 school year. Highlights include:

Concurrent Enrollment continues to see sustained increases in participation, up 10 percent statewide with 25,534 students participating in 2015-2016.
Compared to the prior year, participation in Concurrent Enrollment program participation increased among Asian students (18 percent increase), Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students (21 percent increase), Hispanic students (7 percent increase), White, non-Hispanic students (8 percent increase), and students identifying as more than one race (12 percent increase).
In 2015-16, high school students attempted a total of 214,276 Concurrent Enrollment credit hours. The average number of credit hours attempted per student was 8, with an average of 7.5 hours passed (averages of 8.6 credit hours attempted and 7.5 credit hours passed in 2014-15).
A large majority of the Concurrent Enrollment hours taken by students—93 percent— were passed in 2015-16.
For the first time, more students are enrolled in credential-seeking programs than non-credential seeking programs. More than 79 percent of ASCENT students are enrolled in a credential-seeking program. Nearly 54 percent of Concurrent Enrollment students are enrolled in a credential-seeking program.
Through Concurrent Enrollment or ASCENT programs, 1,491 students earned some type of postsecondary credential in 2015-16. This is a 21 percent increase over last year’s total credential completion number (1,231).
Participation in ASCENT increased by 5 percent from the previous year, with 485 students participating statewide in 2015-16.

Annual Concurrent Enrollment Reports Archives

Fact Sheets

Concurrent Enrollment Fact Sheet (2015-16)
- Concurrent Enrollment Map (2015-16)

Statute and Legislation

Colorado Revised Statute, 22-35-101 et seq.
Establishing Legislation:
- House Bill 09-1319
- Senate Bill 09-285

Practice Sharing from our Districts /Charter Schools

This section provides examples of Concurrent Enrollment practices currently used in Colorado schools and districts. This collection provides school professionals with real-life examples of Concurrent Enrollment practices that can be downloaded and adapted for use in your setting.

Submit a Promising Practice

If you would like to submit your Concurrent Enrollment practices and materials, please contact Mary Anne Hunter to post your resources.

Guidelines and Resources

Concurrent Enrollment Policy and Example Practices :This overview of Concurrent Enrollment policy and example practices provide guidance, support, and ideas for districts, schools, and institutions of higher education looking to implement or grow their concurrent enrollment opportunities.
Rules for the Concurrent Enrollment Program
Concurrent Enrollment Specific FAQs
Concurrent Enrollment Programs FAQS (applicable to both CE and ASCENT)
Attendance Requirement – concurrent enrollment & ASCENT
Student October Count Audit Resource Guide
Concurrent Enrollment for Students with Disabilities
Concurrent Enrollment Transparency Act (HB 16-1144) Sample Wording (Doc)
CDHE Ensuring College Readiness and Applicability of Credits Earned
Checklist for GT Pathways General Education Credit Earned While in High School
Work-Based Learning in Concurrent Enrollment

Contact

Mary Anne Hunter
Phone: 303-866-6596
E-mail:Hunter_Mary@cde.state.co.us

Search form