Getting a head start on college coursework in high school has become an even more important goal for high school students in recent years, due in part to the rising costs of obtaining traditional four-year college degrees coupled with the disruptions in learning for high school and college students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, students need more choices beyond the “college” or “no college” paths and faster ways to earn college credits. Accelerated postsecondary pathways models marry the academic experi­ence of dual-enrollment programs—where high school students take college-level courses either at their own schools or at local institutions of higher education—with workforce exposure and, in some models, preparation for specific industries. The accelerated pathways models can enable students to earn credentials faster, increasing their chances of completing their degrees or industry-recognized credentials, or secur­ing employment in reliable careers. The Accelerate ED Initiative aims to expand access to these kinds of programs, with the intention of attracting students who are not typically selected for or encouraged to pursue tradi­tional dual-enrollment programs.

This brief draws on MDRC’s analysis of data from surveys and conversations with leaders from K-12 and postsecondary institutions, as well as industry and community-based leaders who participated in the Accelerate ED Initiative and implemented accelerated path­ways models in 2024. This brief highlights strategies for leaders of similar accelerated pathways models to consider as they design, implement, and expand their pathways models to a larger scale.