Educators and Administrators

Dual enrollment (DE) provides students with the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. In Virginia, DE is expanding through College and Career Ready Virginia (CCRV), Transfer Virginia, and Virtual Virginia, ensuring equitable access for all students. 

This page provides policy guidance, planning tools, and resources for K–12 and higher education partners to successfully implement and scale dual enrollment programs. 

Legislative Updates and Required Guidance

HB 1892 (§ 22.1-215.3) strengthens Virginia’s approach to dual enrollment by clarifying expectations related to advising, course alignment, and equitable student access. 

HB 1892 materials support school divisions and college partners in: 

Resources include: 

Policy & Framework 

Virginia’s dual enrollment programs are governed by state code, accreditation standards, and local agreements. In 2008, Virginia established the Virginia Plan for Dual Enrollment, a statewide framework that outlines how public schools and community colleges collaborate to deliver DE. This plan was updated in 2015. 

The plan recognizes three primary models: 

1. College Campus Courses – High school students enroll in regular college credit courses at the community college.
2. High School-Based Courses – College credit courses offered exclusively for high school students, taught at the high school.
3. College Campus, High School-Only Cohorts – Specially scheduled college credit courses for high school students, delivered on the community college campus.

The Virginia Plan sets common guidelines for: 

• Student eligibility & admissions 
• Course eligibility & alignment 
• Accreditation standards & credit awards 
• Faculty selection & credentialing 
• Tuition & fees 
• Assessment & evaluation 

Key Policies: 

• Code of Virginia §22.1-237.1 – Establishes CCRV and requires access to Passport and UCGS pathways at no cost for qualified students
• Standards of Accreditation: 8VAC20-132-110 – Standard unit of credit requirements and alternatives

Why Dual Enrollment Matters 

• Expands access to early college credit for all students
• Reduces the overall cost of higher education
• Strengthens student readiness for postsecondary success
• Connects academic coursework to workforce pathways

Common Misunderstandings 

• Transferability: Not all DE courses transfer; the Passport and UCGS are guaranteed at all public institutions
• Local Flexibility: School divisions can set policies for GPA weighting, scheduling, and transcript reporting
• Equity in Access: CCRV requires that every eligible student has a no-cost pathway, not just selective groups

Seat Time and Credit Award Guidance 

Virginia’s Standards of Accreditation (8VAC20-131-110) require a standard unit of credit to equal 140 clock hours of instruction. 

However, the Board of Education issued a seat-time flexibility memo clarifying: 

• School divisions may waive the 140-hour requirement
• Divisions may award credit based on college credit completion rather than clock hours
• Local divisions must develop a written policy and comply with Board guidelines
• For DE:
• A 3-credit college course typically meets ~48 clock hours with an additional ~96 hours of independent student work (totaling ~144 hours).
• These expectations align with awarding 1 high school Carnegie unit for a 3-credit college course.

Special Populations 

Divisions and college partners should ensure that all qualified students can access DE, including: 

• Students with disabilities – Accommodations available through both K–12 and the college’s disability services office.
• English learners (ELLs) – Language and tutoring supports may be available through schools and colleges.
• First-generation college students – May need additional advising and outreach.

Equity and inclusion should be guiding principles when implementing DE.

Implementation Tools 

• 2015 Updated Virginia Plan for Dual Enrollment – Clarifies statewide expectations and expands access
• Guide for Dual Enrollment Coordinators, Instructors, and Administrators – Practical implementation manual
• Dual Enrollment Guide for Students and Families – Helps families understand eligibility, benefits, and planning
• VCCS-VDOE Course Pairing Guide (update coming soon)
• Transfer Virginia - Course equivalency and transfer resources
• Academic and Career Plan Portfolio (ACPP) Templates – Advising and planning supports

Professional Learning 

Educators can access training and support through: 

• Dual Enrollment Advising Toolkit
• Teacher Credentialing Programs

Webinar Series: Equitable Dual Enrollment and CCRV Access

The Virginia Department of Education invites educators to a five-part webinar series focused on supporting students with disabilities in dual enrollment and College and Career Ready Virginia (CCRV) pathways. Each 60-minute session will be offered live and recorded for later viewing. 

Who Should Attend? 

IEP case managers, transition coordinators, school counselors, special education coordinators, dual enrollment coordinators, CCRV leads, and administrators. 

Session Highlights: