Purpose: College Credit Plus (CCP) is a program for high school students to take college courses while still in high school. The program can be a tremendous advantage to any student. Despite the incentives, CCP enrollment at a Midwest urban dropout recovery school is low and has been so for a decade. The purpose of this study is to use a qualitative approach to determine common root causes for the low enrollment, as well as generate possible solutions.
Method: This study was designed in 2021. This study utilized qualitative methods for action research. Because the study is in student interest, it is vital that student voices remain the focal point. I suspect that one of the underlying causes may be internalization of outward negative, racialized student expectations.
Findings: Current literature details the benefits of CCP enrollment, especially for underrepresented students, as well as the low enrollment of those same students. However, there is a gap in the literature where actual student voices are missing. Without their directly quoted, first-person contributions, the data is incomplete. Underrepresented students are primary stakeholders as they are missing out on educational opportunities that could alter their quality of life significantly.
Implications for Research and Practice: These findings are useful for teachers, school administrators, students, and their families. Further interviews would be beneficial to address the variety in student responses.