Determining Participation in Secondary Advanced Academics in Texas. Policy Brief
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| Title: | Determining Participation in Secondary Advanced Academics in Texas. Policy Brief |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Rebecca Lyle, Tara O’Neill, Texas Education Research Center |
| Source: | Texas Education Research Center. 2025. |
| Availability: | Texas Education Research Center. University of Texas at Austin, Pickle Research Campus, 10100 Burnet Road, Bldg #137 TCB, Rm 1.143A, L4500, Austin, TX 78758; Tel: 512-471-4528; Web site: https://texaserc.utexas.edu/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 7 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | High Schools Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Advanced Placement Programs, Dual Enrollment, Student Participation, High School Students, Institutional Characteristics, School Districts, Student Characteristics |
| Geographic Terms: | Texas |
| Abstract: | Participation in advanced academic programs, specifically dual credit, Advanced Placement (AP), and OnRamps, has grown significantly throughout Texas over the past decade. This growth mirrors national trends and is in response to demand from students and incentives in the state educational accountability system. While much is known about each of these programs individually, little research has been done into how they interact with each other to provide access and opportunities to students in different schools and districts. Dual credit programs, which allow high school students to earn both high school and college credits concurrently, are a well-established part of the secondary school environment today. In Texas from Fall 2013 to Fall 2023, dual credit enrollment grew from 108,000 to 219,000 (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board). Advanced Placement is a program developed by the College Board through which high school students take classes that are designed to be similar to college classes. Students may choose to take an exam at the end of the year that can lead to college credit when they enroll in post-secondary school. Similar to dual credit, the number of Texas high school students taking AP classes has grown considerably over the past decade. From 2013-14 to 2023-24, the number of Texas students enrolled in AP classes has increased from 238,000 to 381,000 (Texas Education Agency). The University of Texas at Austin's OnRamps dual enrollment initiative offers high school students access to UT Austin courses, developed by UT Austin faculty and delivered by high school teachers on high school campuses and UT Austin faculty remotely. Students earn a separate grade for the OnRamps college course and can receive UT Austin credit. OnRamps enrollment has also grown dramatically over the past decade -- from a few hundred students in 2013-14 to 105,000 enrollments in 2024-25. Many studies have shown improved student outcomes in both high school and post-secondary education for participants in advanced academic programs. However, previous studies have also shown that access to these programs is uneven. Much of the previous work has looked at access to advanced academics by studying each program individually. Few studies have investigated how these three programs create an ecosphere of opportunities for students, including taking into account local conditions. This study investigated three questions: (1) what are the characteristics of school districts and campuses that have implemented OnRamps, the newest of the three main advanced academics programs statewide; (2) what are the student characteristics associated with participating in the three main advanced academics programs; and (3) to what extent does the presence of OnRamps at a school impact which students participate in advanced academics. |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | ED679724 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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