Rethinking Honors Tracking to Address an Opportunity Gap

For some students, earning credit for a college-level course while still in high school, known as early college or dual enrollment, can open the door to significant opportunities—and save them a year or more of college tuition. But getting there often starts with access to honors coursework. So in Frederick County Public Schools in Maryland, the district changed the way teachers identify potential honors students and prepare them for those opportunities.

Dual enrollment allows students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously. But at Frederick High School, some students were underrepresented in the honors track that helps lay the groundwork for that rigor. “We want students to experience an honors-level course prior to taking a college-level course,” says assistant principal Sheri Murphy. To make that happen, the school began having more intentional conversations with teachers about which students were ready for additional academic challenges. If a student was earning As in a grade-level course, teachers and school leaders made an effort to consider whether that student could benefit from moving into honors.

They also redesigned Algebra I so students could move into an honors curriculum midyear. Math teacher Maggie Arnold welcomes those students with a clear message: “Somebody believed in you and that’s why you earned a spot in this class.” She makes it her mission to help students develop the habits and confidence they need to succeed at the honors level.

“It’s really about raising the bar for students who haven’t necessarily been challenged in the past,” says Murphy. But that higher bar is paired with significant support—teachers encourage students to recognize their own potential, bring questions to class, and build the skills needed to thrive in more rigorous courses.

And the approach is making a measurable difference. Murphy says Frederick High School no longer has a gap in dual enrollment access for its African American students, who are now participating at the same rate as their Caucasian peers. By identifying students earlier and providing a clear pathway to college-level courses, Frederick is helping more students see themselves as ready for the next step.

To see more from this district, visit the Frederick County Public Schools page.