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The two new research reports involved different methods and data elements but generated similar findings on the promise of dual enrollment:
- Structured/formal dual enrollment is on the rise
- High school students represent an increasing share of community college enrollment
- Dual enrollment equity gaps by racial/ethnic subgroups are more minor in these formal dual enrollment programs and have narrowed over time.
- Access to dual enrollment overall remains unequal, and it depends on the high school that students attend.
- Reducing inequities in dual enrollment requires a continued partnership between high schools and community colleges to create these formal dual enrollment opportunities.
- The partnerships must center recruitment efforts and course offerings on equity.
- Source: New Research: Dual Enrollment Supports Equitable College Completion, December 15, 2021, Colleges Future Foundation
Open Education Resources awareness has increased in the last decade. However, the uptick in adoption has been moderate.
While the allure of free and accessible course materials has driven interest, a lack of resources or time investment and perceptions about the quality of OER have stunted growth. Nevertheless, the benefits of OER are understood, and public policy engagement continues.
Below, please find highlights from states that have updated legislation 2021- 2022:
California: AB 132 (2021): Postsecondary education trailer bill. Other appropriations provide $115 million on a one-time basis to community college districts to develop zero-textbook-cost degrees using open education resources.
AB 128 (2021): Appropriations bill. Among other provisions, it provides up to $3 million to provide textbooks or digital course content to inmates enrolled in one or more California Community College courses. Colleges are encouraged to use open educational resources first.
Colorado: SB 215 (2021): Use Of Open Educational Resources In Higher Education. Provides $1 million in appropriations for the Colorado OER Council for the next five fiscal years. Updates the definition of OER. Last Action: Signed by Governor (2021-05-05)
Connecticut: HB 6402 (2021): Requires the Office of Higher Education to study issues related to higher education. Among other provisions, updates existing statutes relating to the Open Educational Resources Council to change a reporting deadline.
Delaware: #GoOpen State: Delaware joined the U.S. Department of Education’s #GoOpen campaign for openly licensed educational resources in K-12 education. The state developed the Delaware OER Strategy to meet the goal of creating a repository of quality open educational resources that have been thoroughly vetted and aligned with Delaware standards. The state also mentioned OER in its ESSA implementation plan.
Georgia:
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Affordable Learning Georgia (2014-Present): Affordable Learning Georgia is a University System of Georgia initiative to promote student success by supporting the implementation of affordable alternatives to expensive commercial textbooks, particularly Open Educational Resources (OER) and open textbooks. The program was funded by appropriations from the legislature in 2014 and in subsequent years.
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#GoOpen State: Georgia joined the U.S. Department of Education’s #GoOpen campaign for openly licensed educational resources in K-12 education. To become a #GoOpen State, states meet criteria, including adding OER into the statewide education technology strategy.
Illinois: HB 2878 (2021): Requires the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to create the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity. Among other provisions, the Consortium is directed to develop an open educational resources library if deemed beneficial and feasible. Last Action: 2021-05-31 – Passed Both Houses.
Idaho:
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HB 318 (2021): Bill appropriating state funds to the State Board of Education for community colleges. The attached fiscal note designates $1,000,000 for a zero textbook cost program.
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Instructional Materials Access & Affordability Policy (2021): State Board of Education requires all public 4-year institutions to develop plans to increase access and affordability, using OER where possible. The policy includes a definition of OER as well.
Oregon: HB 2919 (2021): Requires each public university and community college to prominently display the total costs of all required course materials and fees for no less than 75 percent of entire courses offered by public universities or community colleges. Requires annual reporting to Higher Education Coordinating Commission detailing compliance with the requirement.
West Virginia: HB 4355 (2022): This bill requires state institutions to disclose information about required textbooks and course materials to students, including 1) whether a course material is an open educational resource; 2) whether a student will be automatically charged for course material and the charge amount; 3) details about how the student’s data will be used and maintained by a publisher for automatically charged materials; and 4) information about the student’s choices to “opt-out” of the automatic charges and the use of their data.
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