ACC Spotlights Dual Credit as a Pathway to College and Career Success

Three young women walk together along a pathway outside a building. They are dressed in casual attire, with one wearing a black dress and knee-high boots. The group appears to be engaged in conversation, each holding a drink. In the background, there are other people walking and a banner that reads "RIVERBATS YOU BELONG START HERE." The scene is set in a campus-like environment with trees and a brick building.

Dual credit continues to be a powerful tool for helping Central Texas students get ahead. It allows students to earn college credit while still in high school—reducing future college costs and accelerating entry into college and the workforce.

At Austin Community College District (ACC), dual credit students make up about 20% of enrollment. Through academic courses, workforce training, and structured pathways such as Early College High School, P-TECH, and Career Academies, students can graduate high school with college credit, certificates, or even an associate degree already in hand.

Recent state legislation strengthens how dual credit coursework is recognized. During the 89th Texas Legislative Session, ACC helped support and pass Senate Bill 1191. The bill requires school districts to apply GPA weighting to dual credit courses the same way they do for other advanced academic coursework. 

To help families, students, and partners better understand these opportunities, ACC has published a new guide outlining how dual credit works, how it compares to AP, and what students can expect as they balance high school and college-level classes.

Read the full Dual Credit guide to understand your options.

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