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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ed.D.
Department
Educational Leadership and Policy
First Advisor
Ben Pogodzinski
Abstract
This dissertation investigates the impact of dual enrollment participation on postsecondary institutional choice and persistence among rural students, using data from the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:12/17). While dual enrollment programs are associated with positive postsecondary outcomes for general student populations, limited research explores their effects on rural students, who face unique barriers such as geographic isolation and limited access to advanced coursework. Guided by Tinto’s Theory of Social and Academic Integration, this study addresses two research questions: (1) How do postsecondary institutions chosen by rural dual enrollment participants compare to those chosen by non-participants? (2) How does persistence through year three differ between rural students who participated in dual enrollment and those who did not?
Using logistic regression, this study found that rural students who participated in dual enrollment were more likely to enroll in 4-year postsecondary institutions rather than 2-year institutions, though this association was not statistically significant. However, dual enrollment participation showed a statistically significant relationship with persistence, indicating that rural students who earned dual enrollment credits were more likely to remain enrolled through their third year of college or complete their degree. These findings highlight dual enrollment’s role in fostering long-term college persistence among rural students.
This research highlights the complexity of dual enrollment’s influence on rural students and emphasizes the importance of program context. The absence of data on dual enrollment settings (e.g., a college campus versus a high school or online) limits the understanding of the role of social and academic integration. These findings underscore the need for policymakers and educators to tailor dual enrollment programs to foster academic success and belonging, ensuring rural students achieve long-term postsecondary outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Fiscus, Kierstin, "Navigating Postsecondary Education: Exploring The Impact Of Dual Enrollment On Rural Students’ Postsecondary Pathways" (2025). Wayne State University Dissertations. 4198.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/4198