Across Tennessee, Early Postsecondary Opportunities (EPSOs) are transforming how high school students access postsecondary education and workforce training. EPSOs allow students to earn college credit or technical credentials while still in high school, helping them build confidence, reduce the cost of education, and accelerate their transition into postsecondary education and careers.
This session will explore Tennessee’s robust model that enables high school students to simultaneously earn high school credit and postsecondary credentials through dual enrollment with Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs). The presenter will highlight the structure and implementation of technical dual enrollment pathways that align secondary education, postsecondary programs, and industry workforce needs.
Participants will gain an overview of the Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant, funded through the state lottery, which significantly reduces or eliminates tuition costs for eligible students. The grant typically covers the full tuition for the first five dual enrollment courses. At TCATs, eligible students may receive grant funding for up to 1,296 clock hours of technical coursework, supporting advanced technical certificates and career preparation.
The session will also highlight data trends and student engagement patterns, including the growth of dual enrollment participation and the most in-demand technical programs based on enrollment trends. Attendees will learn how programs in high-demand fields—such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and industrial technologies—are driving student participation and strengthening regional workforce pipelines.
The presenter will discuss how the dual enrollment structure maintains postsecondary academic rigor, ensures curriculum alignment between secondary and technical institutions, and embeds industry-recognized credentials and work-based learning opportunities into pathways. The session will also address lessons learned from implementation, including strategies for building partnerships with school districts, ensuring student readiness, aligning funding and policy, and sustaining high-quality program delivery.
How Attendees Will Apply the ContentParticipants will leave with actionable strategies to:
- Design or expand technical dual enrollment pathways aligned with workforce needs
- Leverage state funding and grant programs to increase student access
- Build stronger secondary–postsecondary partnerships
- Use data and enrollment trends to guide program development and scaling
