Performance audit identifies gap in transferring college credit earned in high school

Washington colleges and universities accept nearly all the college-level credits students earn in high school – if the students follow through on a crucial step in the transfer process, according to a report released today by the Office of the Washington State Auditor.

The performance audit looked at transferring college credits earned in high school through two popular dual credit programs: College in the High School and Running Start. Every year, some graduating high school seniors find their credits have not transferred to the college or university in which they enrolled.

Auditors examined dual credits earned in the programs as they transferred to eight state colleges and universities. They found the institutions of higher education accepted on average 95 percent of the dual credit courses submitted to them.

However, a major gap exists in the transmission of students’ transcripts to the institution in which they enroll: the students who must submit their transcripts did not do so. In a sample of 194 transcripts expected to be submitted to their enrolled college or university, students did not submit 59 – about 30 percent. Because the college or university they enrolled in did not receive the transcripts, the institutions could not evaluate their college credits for transfer.

Most of the students who did not submit their transcripts were associated with the College in the High School program. College in the High School classes are held in the high school, alongside regular high school courses, while Running Start courses take place on a university or college campus. Staff at audited colleges and universities suggested that students enrolled in a College in the High School course may not know that they earned college credit or have a transcript that they can later transfer.

“Identifying this gap in the credit transfer process is beneficial for all parties involved, including high schools, colleges, universities, students and their parents,” said State Auditor Pat McCarthy. “Because federal law protects personal student information, it is key that students understand that they themselves are responsible for ensuring they submit their college transcripts when they enroll in their future college or university.”

Most of the colleges and universities reviewed followed many requirements and leading practices relating to transfer policies and offering online resources to students. However, some did not follow all such practices, such as advising students that earned credit may not transfer or informing students about their transfer rights.

The report, including recommendations to colleges, universities and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and summary material can be found on the State Auditor’s Office website: Assessing Dual Credit Transferability

Media questions: Assistant Director of Communications Adam Wilson, Adam.Wilson@sao.wa.gov, 564-999-0799