Here’s a breakdown of the provided text, focusing on the key information about dual enrollment and AP programs in Wisconsin:
Key Takeaways:
WTCS Dominates Dual enrollment: The Wisconsin technical College System (WTCS) has the largest dual enrollment program in the state, serving substantially more students than the University of Wisconsin (UW) System.
UW program Growing Faster: While WTCS has more students, the UW System‘s dual enrollment program experienced a faster growth rate (12.0%) compared too WTCS (1.5%) between 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Data Sources: The analysis uses data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s annual report cards for high schools, which now include postsecondary planning programs like dual enrollment and Advanced Placement (AP).
AP vs. Dual Enrollment:
Dual Enrollment: Students take college-level courses at a technical college or university and earn both high school and college credit concurrently.
Advanced Placement (AP): Students take college-level courses and then standardized exams. Colleges may grant credit based on exam scores.
AP Includes IB: The AP participation rates reported also include International Baccalaureate (IB) participation,as these two programs are often discussed together and cannot be separated in the data.
School Participation:
In 2023, a large majority of Wisconsin public high schools offered dual enrollment (85.7%) and AP courses (73.9%).
68.4% of schools offered both.
Factors Influencing School Offerings:
Size: Medium and large schools (over 400 and 1,000 students, respectively) were highly likely to offer both programs, regardless of location. Smaller schools were less likely, with dual enrollment being more common than AP in smaller schools, especially in rural areas.
Poverty: schools with lower rates of economically disadvantaged students were significantly more likely to offer dual enrollment programs (91.1%) compared to schools with high rates of economically disadvantaged students (only 50%).
Locale: Schools in cities were slightly less likely to offer dual enrollment than those in suburbs, towns, and rural areas.
In essence, the text highlights the significant role of dual enrollment in Wisconsin’s high schools, with the WTCS system being the primary provider. It also points out the growing popularity of the UW System’s dual enrollment and the factors that influence whether a high school offers these valuable postsecondary opportunities.
