Automatic enrollment into advanced coursework with an opt-out option¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The brief recommends automatic enrollment policies with an opt-out option, "so students identified through any measure can be enrolled without having to opt in." This removes the opt-in barrier that can keep eligible Black and Latino students out of advanced courses, and pairs with multiple-measures identification rather than reliance on a single test score or teacher recommendation.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Students identified through any measure can be enrolled without opting in; identification should use multiple measures rather than one measure only

Constraints¶

• The brief warns that enrollment alone is insufficient — students need support and high-quality teaching to be successful and feel they belong

Target Learners¶

• Black and Latino students eligible for advanced coursework

Target Learning Goals¶

• Equitable enrollment in AP, IB, dual-enrollment, and other advanced courses

Related Strategies¶

• Adopt automatic (opt-out) enrollment policies placing qualifying students in advanced coursework
• Adopt automatic enrollment and open enrollment policies for advanced courses to expand equitable access
• State policy package to expand equitable access to advanced coursework: credit transparency, automatic enrollment with opt-out, fee removal, disaggregated data reporting, and belonging supports
• Adopt automatic-enrollment policies that default students into higher-level math based on prior achievement or demonstrated proficiency
• Support struggling advanced-course students with expanded learning time and intensive tutoring
• District and school leaders should hold widespread discussions of grading practices and pair any expansion of boys' advanced-course enrollment with supports for students and teachers

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• The Education Trust; Equal Opportunity Schools. (2023). 5 Questions to Ask District and School Leaders About Access to Advanced STEM Coursework in High School. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED627984