Accelerated learning refers to opportunities for high school students to earn college credit. Research shows these programs to be positively associated with high school graduation rates, academic achievement, and success in college.

The state of Oregon has made significant investments in expanding accelerated learning programs. This study analyzed data from K–12 records to help education policymakers improve these programs—including on participation, outcomes, and credit transfer.

Findings include:

• Participation in accelerated learning increased in Oregon from 2013–14 to 2015–16, with dual credit the most common form
• Accelerated learning participants in the class of 2015 were 30 percentage points more likely than their peers to graduate from high school
• 15 percent of students in the class of 2015 transferred less than half their high school credits to the Oregon public university they attended

Download the report for many more findings, as well as considerations for further investigation.

Report