Abstract

Student enrollment in colleges of agriculture is stagnant. A shortage of qualified candidates adequately prepared via a rigorous curriculum, standards, and assessment practices exists, further increasing the lack of alignment between secondary and higher education. Dual enrollment courses can increase college preparation for future graduates and help students succeed. Dual enrollment allows high school students to take courses while dually enrolled in corresponding college work. The Concerns Based Adoption Model frameworks for levels of use and stages of concern guided this study. The dual enrollment program was found to have a positive impact on students taking more rigorous courses and gaining a more in-depth knowledge of agriculture. Administrators indicated this program helped in establishing higher standards in coursework, enhancing campus prestige and the reputation of the agriculture program. Administrators saw that the program benefited in preparing students for what college is “really like”. Research focused on the pedagogical approaches of how dual enrollment offerings benefit the creation of future high-quality dual credit courses.