BATON ROUGE, La. – A record 75% of Louisiana’s high school Class of 2024 graduated with early college credit, an increase of 11 percentage points from the Class of 2019 (64%). The latest data on Louisiana’s dual enrollment successes were shared during Wednesday’s Joint Meeting of the Board of Regents and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).
Since Regents and BESE adopted their joint goal for Early College Credit in December 2019, dual enrollment participation in Louisiana has more than doubled with an increase of 55%. All four public postsecondary systems have seen student participation in dual enrollment grow, with the Southern University System achieving an 18% increase in participation and the LSU System a 10% increase.
According to 2024–25 participation data, eighty-two percent (82%) of dual enrollment courses taken by high school students were in general education course, compared to 18% in career and technical fields.
“Six years ago, Regents and BESE set a joint goal that by the Class of 2029, every Louisiana student would graduate high school with college credit, a postsecondary credential, or both,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Hunter Reed. “Today’s data shows that our efforts are working and that more students and families understand that importance of pursing early credentials beyond high school. We will continue to advocate for early college access so that every student can find their path to prosperity before graduating.”
Increasing dual enrollment participation is an important priority in Louisiana’s overall goal to improve education attainment, so too is increasing student success. To support that work, the board was informed of a new $1 million grant awarded from the Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC). This funding will be invested to elevate advising, strengthen wrap-around services, and basic needs infrastructure for students across the state, aligned with the Louisiana Prospers Master Plan. This newly funded initiative, called Meauxmentum Champion,s will launch statewide in 2026, with a focus on student affairs and student success professionals.
“Higher education in Louisiana is gaining momentum, and this latest investment will directly support our goal of producing more graduates for our state,” said Chair Misti S. Cordell. “I am looking forward to the progress we will make across the state as a result of this targeted investment as we grow our education to employment pipeline.”
During its meetings, Regents also approved its 2026 slate of officers. Joining Chair Cordell in leadership positions are Regent Terrie Sterling (Vice Chair) and Regent Dallas Hixson (Secretary), along with executive committee members Regent Christian Creed, Regent Blake David, Regent Samer Shamieh, and Regent Collis Temple III.
In addition, the Board received two legislative reports – Articulation and Transfer and Postsecondary Inclusive Education. Key findings from each include:
- Articulation and Transfer Report: 32% of 2024–25 baccalaureate graduates started as transfer students. The number of Louisiana Transfer Associate’s degrees awarded in the 2024–25 academic year rose by 19% over the previous year’s data.
- Postsecondary Inclusive Education Report: Nine Postsecondary Inclusive Education programs are currently active across the state, with three more programs in development for Fall 2026. This allows students with intellectual disabilities to enroll in colleges across Louisiana to take part in employment and life skills programs.
Both reports can be accessed at www.laregents.edu/legislative.
In other business, the Board approved Karthik Poobalasubramanian’s appointment to the Deputy Commissioner for Information and Data Strategy role. Karthik joined Regents as a graduate assistant in 2002 and was named Assistant Commissioner for Information and Data Services in 2022.
The Board of Regents will hold its next meeting on Monday, January 26, 2026.
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Contact
Chris Yandle, Ph.D., APR, Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications
chris.yandle@laregents.edu • 985-373-5845